FFW ASKS EMPLOYERS TO PROTECT WORKERS AMID SCORCHING HEAT

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Concerned about the safety of workers, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) on Monday (29 April 2024) urged employers to convene its Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Committee to plan policies and address the impact of high temperatures on employees’ health and safety.

The FFW said an OSH Committee should be composed of representatives of employees and employers whose main role is to help ensure workplace safety by participating in the development, implementation, and monitoring of company health and safety policy and procedures.

“We have been consulting our members across the country since the temperatures have been rising early this year,” FFW Vice President Julius Cainglet said.

 He lamented that many workers have been affected by the severe heat.

“Most of the workers’ responses have been through their own doing, like loading up on liquids; or some unilateral policy by management, thus with no benefit of meaningful dialogue on safety and health backed by science,” Cainglet noted.

(el Amigo/MNM)