DOLE to issue policies to protect workers from extreme heat, effects of El Niño

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday that it is targeting the issuance of labor policies to ensure the safety and protection of workers, especially those who work long hours outdoors, amid the ongoing El Niño.

In a 24 Oras report by Raffy Tima on Tuesday, DOLE said the proposed policy aimsto provide compensation for affected workers, establish a warning system, and implement flexible working hours.

“Halimbawa, papasok ka dahil sa sobrang init, natumba ka, pinauwi ka halimbawa ng alas dos sobrang init, natumba ka, nahilo ka, work related ‘yun. Kung ma-ospital ka o sa clinic, babayaran ng ECC [o ng] Employees' Compensation Commission,” DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said.

(For example, if you report to work and collapse due to extreme heat—say you were sent home at 2:00 p.m. because of intense heat, and you collapsed or felt dizzy—that is considered work-related. If you are hospitalized or brought to a clinic, the Employees' Compensation Commission will cover the costs.)

Tolentino suggested implementing heat warning systems similar to those used during heavy rainfall. He added that cell phone notifications should ideally be sent whenever the heat index reaches 37°C to 51°C.

DOLE said that under an "extreme caution" warning or when the heat index hits 40°C, employees directly exposed to the sun should not be forced to work.

“Staggered shifts, ‘yung flexible working hours na ‘wag pilitin naman… Halimbawa, linemen natin sa mga poste ng mga telco. ‘Yung mga construction workers natin, hindi ‘yung mga building na multi-level, ‘yung nasa kalye sa labas,” Tolentino said.

(Staggered shifts and flexible working hours should be implemented so workers aren't forced... For example, telco linemen working on posts and construction workers doing street-level work rather than inside multi-level buildings.)

“Ang magiging bahagi ng advisory, wala munang magiging trabaho pag 12 [p.m.] to 3 [p.m.] lalong-lalo na kung ang heat index ay umabot ng kwarenta,” he added.

(Part of the advisory will state that work should be temporarily suspended from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., especially if the heat index reaches 40°C.)

According to Tolentino, the policy covers the 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. window and will remain in effect from November this year until March 2027.

He noted that the agency is still finalizing the guidelines before releasing them next week, adding that they still need to conduct consultations with affected labor groups and industry sectors.

However, the agency emphasized that workers exposed to the sun who need to temporarily stop working should not be penalized by their employers.

According to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), DOLE's policy should not merely encourage good practices, but instead serve as a strict requirement for companies to draft and implement a Heat Risk Action Plan.

For Carlito Lagsao, a motorcycle delivery rider, having such a policy in place would be a helpful measure in his job.

“Mas okay ‘yun, sir, ‘pag may ganung option kahit papaano makakapagpahinga kami na, hindi kami kakaba-kaba na ano, kasi bumababa yung rating namin, nahihirapan kami makakuha ng booking,” Lagsao said.

(That would be better, sir. Having that option allows us to rest without worrying, because right now, our ratings drop when we struggle to get bookings.)

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) reminded DOLE to exercise caution regarding the policies it issues, as these could impact business productivity.

“We have to be careful mandating this kind of policies, they can be suggestion, they can be information to companies but they should not make a fit for all policy that will affect productivity,” ECOP President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News