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Members of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) roadside assistance team conduct a health monitoring on an employee at their headquarters in Makati City on April 1, 2024. The MMDA activated its roadside assistance monitoring team to provide aid to travelers exposed to the heat during the hottest part of the day, after heat index in several parts of Metro Manila reached dangerous levels.
Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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MMDA- HEALTH MONITORING- HEAT INDEX

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) slammed employers opposing mandated “heat breaks” for workers.The group argues, the extreme heat in the context of the climate crisis is now a health and safety hazard that requires responsive measures. “Itong mga kapitalistang nakababad sa aircon buong araw, nag-iinit palagi basta usapin ng kagalingan ng mga manggagawa nila. Hindi niyo naman ikakalugi na gawin ang responsibilidad niyo.” said KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis, in a statement.The group also said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should mandate employers to comply with safety measures in the workplace.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FtI7nxC2mTU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>But Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma explained all labor advisories are anchored on the country’s labor laws.In 2023, the DOLE issued Labor Advisory No. 08 entitled “Safety and Health Measures to Prevent and Control Heat Stress in the Workplace.”“Mayroon tayong batas na medyo mahigpit, may kinalaman sa Occupational Safety and Health Law. So dapat makita natin ‘yan. Dahil kung merong mga pinsala o kaya’y may nangyari sa manggagawa na work-related, may pananagutan ang employers diyan,” Laguesma said.Under the said advisory, the labor department directed employers to institute several provisions that would mitigate extreme heat at work.These include assessing the risks to workers, particularly those with comorbidities such as hypertension and kidney diseases, and implementing appropriate measures such as the installation of exhaust ventilation and heat insulation systems; adjustment in rest breaks, work location and uniform; and the provision of free and adequate drinking water in the workplace.Organizations may also consider flexible work arrangements.The DOLE also requires establishing procedures to address heat related emergencies.<div>EMPLOYERS: LET COMPANIES DECIDE</div>The Employer’s Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on the other hand, assures that the private sector is aware of its obligations under Philippine labor laws.However, ECOP President Sergio Ortiz-Luis pointed out that different sectors have varying situations, which means that one solution may not necessarily be applicable to all.“Let the companies decide for themselves. They know better than anybody. Mas maganda lang magpasikat na concerned ka, pero at the end of the day ang mas concerned diyan yung mga employers. They treat their workers as partners. May legal liability ka pagka merong na-heatstroke diyan, alam nila yan,” said Ortiz-Luis.But the KMU reminded both ECOP and DOLE that labor advisories do not cover informal sector workers, such as delivery riders, agriculture workers and vendors.The group also cited practices in other countries that the Philippines can potentially imitate for the safety of Filipinos, such as the implementation of extended rest breaks, no-work window hours, and the setting of temperature caps to determine safe levels for work in Qatar and India.The KMU also called on workers to conduct dialogues with their employers, local government units and other relevant government agencies to establish policies and measures that would ensure safety at work in extreme heat situations.Previously, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) also urged employers to implement a so-called “Comprehensive Heat Risk Action Plan,” which also includes providing heat breaks, utilizing a buddy system for workers to ensure monitoring of safety, hydration reminders and heat stress orientation to educate workers’ on symptoms and appropriate responses.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) slammed employers opposing mandated “heat breaks” for workers.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) slammed employers opposing mandated “heat breaks” for workers.

Labor groups urge employers to honor 'heat breaks' as temperatures soar

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Labor groups urge employers to honor 'heat breaks' as temperatures soar

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 08, 2024 07:33 PM PHT

Read More:

workers

occupational safety

heat breaks

KMU

Kilusang Mayo Uno

labor

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