Press Statement | 3 July 2019

According to April 2019 Labor Force Survey (LFS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), out of the 72.5 million Filipinos that are part of the labor workforce, 94.9% are employed. These numbers represent the backbone of the Philippine economy which help in the nation’s goal towards development. Given that everyone has the right to work, it is the State’s duty and the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all workers be given just treatment and humane working conditions.

On this note, the Commission on Human Rights commends the Department of Labor and Employment for issuing fines to companies that failed to act in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) law. 22,274 establishments were inspected by the agency from the first five months of 2019.

Regardless of work sector and industry, health and safety should be the utmost priority in every workplace. Safe working conditions, especially to hazardous jobs, should always be the standard. It is a safeguard to lessen risks to injuries or possible lives lost. Compliance to the law doesn’t only provide a protected work atmosphere but an assurance to both employees and their families. #