The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) is calling on the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to strengthen protections as extreme heat poses an increasingly serious threat to Filipino workers.

In 2024, soaring temperatures between 40-60 degrees Celsius dominated the news, highlighting the dangerous effects of extreme heat on public health. While heat-related suspensions were declared in schools and government offices, factories, industrial workplaces and private-sector workplaces rarely provided the same level of protection.

Despite the severity of the situation, existing policies remain weak. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued “Labor Advisory No. 8(Series of 2023),” which merely “reminds” employers to implement safety and health measures to prevent heat stress in workplaces. However, since this advisory is not legally binding, many companies are unlikely to comply, leaving workers exposed to hazardous conditions.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) describes heat stress as an invisible killer. Without proper workplace adjustments, workers face serious health risks, including heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and even death. Ensuring safe, comfortable, and temperature-appropriate working conditions should not be optional—it is a fundamental labor right.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees workers’ right to “humane conditions of work.” The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines everyone’s right to to “just and favourable conditions of work” and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights follows through with the right to “safe and healthy working conditions.”

As the climate crisis intensifies, workers—especially those in physically demanding jobs—bear the brunt of extreme weather conditions. The government must take immediate action by creating and enforcing mandatory preventive measures against heat stress. Policies should cover all workers, regardless of employment status—whether contractual, piece-rate, or permanent. Every worker, regardless of industry, deserves protection from extreme heat. 

This is an urgent matter. The Marcos Jr government should prioritize worker safety by establishing enforceable heat protection policies and ensuring companies are held accountable for their employees’ safety and well-being.

The worsening climate crisis is a reality we cannot ignore, and protecting workers should be at the forefront of our national response.