Much has been said - and done - to address the concerns of our students and educators who have to continue their classes amid the high temperatures the country is experiencing in the past weeks.
But what about our ordinary employees - especially those whose job descriptions require them to work outside in this "suffocating" heat?
We're talking about the so-called "frontline" workers - traffic enforcers, policemen, streetsweepers, those working in the construction sector, and even delivery personnel - who have to work outside despite heat indices in Laguna province now hovering to around 36 to 40 degrees Celsius.
Interestingly, we have yet to hear from local government units (LGUs) in the province about what the public and private sector alike can (and should) do to enable these workers to perform their duties without endangering their health.
Take note, several legislators have already called on employers to consider going beyond the minimum requirements outlined in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Advisory No. 17-2022, and provide their workers with additional incentives or benefits amid extreme weather conditions.
This, as DOLE had advised workers that they can "opt not to report to work" to avoid the scorching heat, but will not get paid for the day. (Which, ironically, will only force many of our blue-collar workers to continue their jobs despite the heat.)
Heck, some business organizations have even expressed openness to proposals for employees to be granted special or unscheduled breaks from work during times of severe heat (but take note, these businesses are against making such "heat breaks" mandatory).
Here’s the thing: safeguarding the health of our ordinary employees is key to ensuring that they can continue contributing to our economy. It’s as simple as that.
Sure, “heat breaks” could lead to reduced production, but have we ever thought that we’d lose a lot more if these ordinary workers suffer from heat-related illnesses?
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonEditorial #DOLE #HeatBreaks #WhatAbouttheWorkers #HeatIndex