Safety and health at work in the Philippines

A construction worker finishes painting a wall in Filinvest, Muntinlupa City, Philippines (©ILO/B. Go).

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Occupational accidents and diseases cause human suffering and loss. Their economic cost is high, with some 2 million workers dying each year from work-related accidents and diseases, and the figure is on the increase in spite of efforts to make inroads.
 
The Philippine Government estimates that 2.2 million Filipino workers in medium and large enterprises enjoy effective occupational safety and health (OSH) protection and services. In other words, 17 of 18 persons in the nation’s workforce of 38.8 million do not benefit from acceptable working conditions. Studies substantiate that OSH conditions in micro-firms and the informal sector pose risks and hazards.
 
The ILO Country Office for the Philippines (CO-Manla) supports programmes to promote a culture of safety and health that bring OSH services to those that need them the most. A range of government and non-government agencies are partners, with beneficiaries that include agrarian reform farmers, informal workers and trade unions and their members. The office works with constituents – governments, workers and employers organizations to promote ratification of the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No.187).
 
A national occupational safety and health culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is respected at all levels, where governments, employers and workers actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities and duties, and where the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention.

For further information please contact:

ILO Country Office for the Philippines (CO-Manila)
19th Floor, Yuchengco Tower
RCBC Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue
1200 Makati City, Philippines
Tel: +632 8580 9900
Email

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