Employers were urged to protect workers’ rights and maintain safe working conditions amid disruptions caused by flooding and other natural disasters.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday, August 18 reminded employers of Labor Advisory No. 15 (Series of 2025), which outlines workers’ rights during tropical cyclones, earthquakes, flooding and other disruptive events.
“Kapag may imminent danger, dapat unahin ang kaligtasan at angkop na work arrangements,” the government agency said on Facebook.
“Hindi dapat parusahan ang manggagawang tumangging magtrabaho dahil sa napipintong panganib,” it added.
The DOLE said employers must implement appropriate alternative work arrangements, provide necessary safety measures and personal protective equipment (if applicable), conduct hazard assessment and suspend work if there is imminent danger, among others.
It defined “imminent danger” as a “situation caused by a condition or practice that could reasonably be expected to lead to death or serious physical harm.”
The agency added that workers should not face punishment or other consequences for reporting imminent danger or refusing to work due to such risks.
“Sa panahon ng disaster, safety first. Workers’ rights always,” the DOLE said.
“Employers and workers are encouraged to work together in building safe, resilient, and prepared workplaces for all,” it said in another post.
Workers in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon have been experiencing torrential rains for more than a week, due to the southwest monsoon (habagat), which has been enhanced by tropical cyclones.
The persistent rains have caused severe flooding and landslides in some areas, affecting travel and mobility.
Earlier this week, images and clips of flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas surprised Filipinos who said they had never witnessed flooding at such levels in those places before.
The downpour turned streets and roads into rivers, affecting Filipinos who needed to travel for work and other responsibilities.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Loriedin Galicia said the gloomy weather brought by the habagat could persist for the rest of the month as weather systems, including tropical cyclones, continue to enhance it.
