Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health at Work can Save Lives
The Philippines marked the World Day for Safety and Health at Work through a webinar on Safe Return to Work in the time of COVID-19. The ILO, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines together with representatives from workers organizations in both formal and the informal economy joined the discussion.
Concern is growing over the continuing rise in COVID-19 infections in some parts of the world and the ability to sustain declining rates in others. Governments, employers, workers and their organizations face enormous challenges as they try to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and protect safety and health at work. Beyond the immediate crisis, there are also concerns about resuming activity in a manner that sustains progress made in suppressing transmission.
This year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work focused on addressing the outbreak of infectious diseases at work, specifically the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines marked the World Day for Safety and Health at Work through a webinar on safe return to work.
The webinar, “Stop the Pandemic: Safety and Health at Work can Save Lives” stimulated tripartite dialogue on safety and health at work. Director Khalid Hassan of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines, recognized the enormous challenge that governments, employers, workers and whole societies are facing to stop the pandemic, contain the spread and protect the health of workers and the larger population.
The presentation of Mr Tsuyoshi Kawakami, ILO Occupational Safety and Health Senior Specialist on Preparing to return to work under a risk-controlled scenario, highlighted the importance of occupational safety and health at work. Mr Jose Roland Moya, Director-General of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) moderated the discussion.
A tripartite dialogue on safety and health at work immediately followed. Assistant Secretary Teresita Cucueco of the Department of Labor and Employment, Executive Director Noel Binag of the DOLE’s Occupational Safety and Health Center, Mr Moya of ECOP, Mr Julius Cainglet of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), and Ms Susanita Tesiorna of the Alliance of Workers in the Informal Economy/Sector (ALLWIES) joined the dialogue.
