The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), one of the country's largest trade union centers, has asked the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to compel employers to protect workers from extreme heat, warning that voluntary workplace safety measures are insufficient amid the threat of Super El Niño.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the labor group called for a department order requiring paid heat breaks, free drinking water, and adequate workplace cooling, along with penalties for employers that fail to comply.

"Extreme heat is a matter of life and death," TUCP said, arguing that workers should not be forced to choose between safeguarding their health and losing their wages. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion and, in severe cases, heat stroke — a medical emergency — with the risk falling hardest on outdoor and physically demanding work.

The group also urged DoLE to convene an emergency meeting of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, which brings together labor and employer representatives, to formulate a comprehensive heat-protection plan.

According to TUCP, a binding order would impose clear obligations on employers, replacing labor advisories that merely encourage the adoption of safety measures.

Under the proposal, employers would be required to provide paid rest periods in shaded or cooled areas and to adjust outdoor work schedules to avoid dangerous heat, particularly during the hottest hours of the day — provisions with direct bearing on sectors such as construction and agriculture, where much of the work happens outdoors. Workers taking required breaks would not face wage deductions, loss of benefits, or disciplinary action.

The proposed rules would likewise obligate employers to supply drinking water free of charge and to set up systems for identifying workers experiencing heat stress. TUCP said workers showing symptoms of heat-related illness must be allowed to stop working and receive immediate medical attention, and that workplaces should maintain emergency response procedures with trained personnel capable of recognizing heat-related risks.

Employers should also install exhaust systems, shield heat-producing equipment, and provide cooled recovery areas where necessary. If such measures prove insufficient, companies should reduce workloads, adjust schedules, or suspend hazardous activities, the group said.

The proposed order would additionally require employers to train workers in recognizing heat stress, maintaining proper hydration, and responding to heat-related emergencies.

With the request now before DoLE, the immediate points to watch are whether the department acts on the call for a binding order and the emergency tripartite meeting as the Super El Niño threat develops.

— Pexcel John Bacon

Source: BusinessWorld