Gov’t urged to ensure workers’ safety amid summer heat
AMID rising temperatures this summer, the government should formulate a comprehensive strategy for workers’ safety and protection from heat-related health risks, a labor group leader said Wednesday.
Jose “Sonny” G. Matula, who chairs the NAGKAISA labor coalition, said in a statement that current workplace safety regulations do not address the challenges faced by workers as summer temperatures reach dangerous levels.
“Current laws and regulations fall short in addressing the challenges and stresses faced by workers due to extreme heat,” he said.
The latest heat index bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that Dagupan City in Northern Luzon and seven other cities and municipalities throughout the country may reach “dangerous” levels of heat on Thursday.
Metro Manila’s heat index may reach temperatures of 40° to 41° Celsius, which warrants an “extreme caution” rating — meaning a person exposed to such temperatures could experience cramps and heat exhaustion that may potentially lead to heat stroke.
NAGKAISA recommended that the government institutionalize hazard pay for employees exposed to hot weather. It is also pushing for the inclusion of “heat leaves” within emergency leave provisions of collective bargaining agreements between workers and their management.
“While some CBAs (collective bargaining agreements) address leaves for natural calamities like typhoons, floods, fires, and earthquakes, there’s a critical gap regarding heat waves,” it said.
The group also called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to inspect the work environments of industries to ensure adherence to health and safety standards to prevent the ill effects of heat on workers. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
