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ILO: Billions of workers exposed to excessive heat

Mayen Jaymalin - The Philippine Star

April 24, 2024 | 12:00am

ILO: Billions of workers exposed to excessive heat

Jeepney drivers, operators prod SC on TRO vs PUVMP Dapnhen MANILA, Philippines — Jeepney drivers and operators yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to act on their petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the government’s public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) ahead of the April 30 franchise consolidation deadline. Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) held a protest rally in front of the SC along Padre Faura street in Manila. “Let’s not wait for more PUV operators to be deep in debt due to consolidation and other inhumane schemes under the PUVMP,” Piston deputy secretary general Ruben Baylon said. “As the deadline draws near, it adds more worry to poor drivers and operators.” President Marcos earlier declared that the franchise consolidation deadline would no longer be extended. Jeepney units left unconsolidated into cooperatives and corporations starting May would be considered colorum and banned from plying their routes. The PUVMP, which dates back to 2017, seeks to modernize the public transportation sector and replace jeepneys 15 years old and older, which are deemed not roadworthy by the standards of the Land Transportation Office. PISTON filed a petition for a TRO before the SC in December 2023. The high court has yet to issue a decision. Charged Meanwhile, police have filed criminal charges against Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena and other members of the group for holding a two-day transport strike in Quezon City. Complaints for violation of Batas Pambansa 880 or the Public Safety Act, alarm and scandal, resistance and disobedience as well as direct assault upon a person in authority were filed against Valbuena before the city prosecutor’s office. Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said also included in the complaint were Manibela president Regie Manlapig and members Jasmine Denition and Pacifico Martin Jr. Maranan said they filed the cases after Valbuena’s group organized a protest rally in Quezon City on April 15 and 16 against the PUVMP. The rally caused grave public inconvenience and disturbance as the transport group mobilized around 70 public utility jeepneys and 600 demonstrators who obstructed Commonwealth Avenue, East Avenue and Quezon Avenue. Maranan said Manibela did not secure a permit from the city government, violating the law for public assembly.

Emmanuel Tupas

MANILA, Philippines — Over 2.4 billion workers in the Philippines and other countries are exposed to excessive heat that may lead to illnesses and injuries, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The ILO has released a report showing that out of the 3.4 billion workforce globally, 2.4 billion are likely to be exposed to excessive heat at some point during their work.

“The key findings (of the study) are very relevant to the Philippines, given its link to heat stress and climate change,” the ILO noted.

The report estimated that 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years are lost annually due to the 22.87 million occupational injuries, which are attributable to excessive heat.

The figure excludes the 26.2 million people worldwide living with chronic kidney disease linked to workplace heat stress as of 2020 data.

The ILO report noted that exposure to extreme weather events and climate-related disasters can cause or exacerbate mental health effects such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide.

Experiences from the Philippines and other countries, the ILO said, demonstrate how extreme climate events are linked with an increased burden of PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress and suicide in people of all ages.

To protect workers, the ILO called for strict implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards in the Philippines, which contain provisions to protect employees against radiation in general.