PURSUING A REMEDY:PURSUING A REMEDY:OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

AND HEALTH IN THE AND HEALTH IN THE INFORMAL SECTORINFORMAL SECTOR

By:By:

Dr. Theresita V. AtienzaDr. Theresita V. AtienzaSenior LecturerSenior Lecturer

UP School of Labor and Industrial RelationsUP School of Labor and Industrial RelationsAsian Public Intellectual FellowAsian Public Intellectual Fellow

Nippon FoundationNippon Foundation

While some of these micro-enterprises match the While some of these micro-enterprises match the standards of the formal sector, most of them standards of the formal sector, most of them would qualify as livelihood activities of the would qualify as livelihood activities of the informal economy.informal economy.

modest estimate indicates that about 65% of modest estimate indicates that about 65% of the workforce is found in the informal sector the workforce is found in the informal sector

1.9 million workers in Metro Manila alone 1.9 million workers in Metro Manila alone A total of 6.3 million home based workers are A total of 6.3 million home based workers are

mostly doing informal work in the Philippinesmostly doing informal work in the Philippines (National Profile on Occupational Safety and Health, (National Profile on Occupational Safety and Health,

2006)2006)

The following common features of the sector The following common features of the sector have been drawn in most developing countries : have been drawn in most developing countries :

The workforce consists of self-employed people The workforce consists of self-employed people in micro-enterprises and as practice, provides in micro-enterprises and as practice, provides work for family members. work for family members.

Development is based on limited capital, with Development is based on limited capital, with the family usually owning the means of the family usually owning the means of production. production.

Workforce being generally under-educated Workforce being generally under-educated relies on apprenticeship as the major way of relies on apprenticeship as the major way of acquiring skills and knowledge. acquiring skills and knowledge.

Most operate on open land with no right of Most operate on open land with no right of occupancy occupancy

Hazards to Health and Safety of Informal Workers

For home based enterprises, problems go For home based enterprises, problems go beyond the worker and involve risks for beyond the worker and involve risks for

the worker's family and home the worker's family and home environment. environment.

Few informal enterprises have fire Few informal enterprises have fire extinguishers while many have no first aid extinguishers while many have no first aid

kits. kits.

Hazards to Health and Safety of Informal Workers

Emergency exits, if there would even be one, Emergency exits, if there would even be one, were blocked by cluttered passageways and were blocked by cluttered passageways and obstructed by wires and cables. Tools, raw obstructed by wires and cables. Tools, raw materials, scrap and empty containers may materials, scrap and empty containers may also be found scattered over the worksites. also be found scattered over the worksites.

The use of complex machinery is not common The use of complex machinery is not common among informal sector workers and where among informal sector workers and where old, unguarded machinery is used, hazards old, unguarded machinery is used, hazards present relate to moving parts such as drive present relate to moving parts such as drive belts. belts.

Hazards to Health and Safety of Informal Workers

High noise levels are experienced by High noise levels are experienced by construction workers and those working construction workers and those working in roadsides and transport terminals.in roadsides and transport terminals.

Farmers usually apply chemicals manually Farmers usually apply chemicals manually using poorly maintained, primitive using poorly maintained, primitive equipment that not only intensifies equipment that not only intensifies chemical exposures but also lead to chemical exposures but also lead to ergonomic hazards, brought about by the ergonomic hazards, brought about by the use of outmoded hand tools, lifting heavy use of outmoded hand tools, lifting heavy loads and sustained physical work. loads and sustained physical work.

Hazards to Health and Safety of Informal Workers

In the unregulated work environment of In the unregulated work environment of informal work, the rate of accident while informal work, the rate of accident while found lower than might be expected, may found lower than might be expected, may be a reflection of cases not being reported be a reflection of cases not being reported

or a non-existent comprehensive or a non-existent comprehensive monitoring of injury and illness rates. monitoring of injury and illness rates.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH

InterventionsInterventions

An overall poor working condition and An overall poor working condition and pressure to generate an income pressure to generate an income

`whatever the cost', are among the `whatever the cost', are among the common factors that undermine common factors that undermine workplace safety of the sector. workplace safety of the sector.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

The difficulty to reach them through formal systems, The difficulty to reach them through formal systems, because few workplaces and even fewer home-because few workplaces and even fewer home-based enterprises have licenses, is crucial to the based enterprises have licenses, is crucial to the design of an effective OSH strategy. design of an effective OSH strategy.

The fact that workplaces have a low density of The fact that workplaces have a low density of workers with employees, often mobile and working workers with employees, often mobile and working in public places that are not officially delineated as in public places that are not officially delineated as workplaces, further complicates the problem. workplaces, further complicates the problem.

Formal skills levels are low, even if literacy rates are Formal skills levels are low, even if literacy rates are high, with most skills and experience being high, with most skills and experience being acquired through informal exchanges. acquired through informal exchanges.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

It is thus difficult to establish traditional It is thus difficult to establish traditional systems of promotion, dissemination of systems of promotion, dissemination of

information, inspection and monitoring. information, inspection and monitoring.

Therefore, innovative schemes that would Therefore, innovative schemes that would link risk reduction to improving economic link risk reduction to improving economic viability;viability; occupational health inputs, with occupational health inputs, with environmental and public health inputs;environmental and public health inputs; skills for managing occupational health skills for managing occupational health

with other skills; andwith other skills; and safety measures with safety measures with other technology options are necessary. other technology options are necessary.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

1. Inclusive national policy1. Inclusive national policy

The ILO Convention on the promotional framework for The ILO Convention on the promotional framework for OSH recommends a national system that specifies the OSH recommends a national system that specifies the infrastructure which would provide the main framework infrastructure which would provide the main framework for implementing national policy and programs of for implementing national policy and programs of occupational safety and health. occupational safety and health.

Philippine national OSH system consist of laws, Philippine national OSH system consist of laws, regulations, practices and cooperative arrangements regulations, practices and cooperative arrangements among key players, in particular DOLE, employers and among key players, in particular DOLE, employers and worker’s organizations and other government agencies. worker’s organizations and other government agencies. Policy and program formulation and implementation Policy and program formulation and implementation through joint decision making at the national level of through joint decision making at the national level of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) and at the the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) and at the agency level in the tripartite Governing Boards of the agency level in the tripartite Governing Boards of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) and Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) and Employees Compensation Commission (ECC). Employees Compensation Commission (ECC).

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

National OSH system is silent regarding the informal National OSH system is silent regarding the informal sector. sector.

It is imperative to institute an inclusive national policy It is imperative to institute an inclusive national policy and harness concerted institutional support to develop and harness concerted institutional support to develop a framework for the sustainable development of OSH a framework for the sustainable development of OSH in the informal sector. in the informal sector.

Given the size of this labor force, the diversity of their Given the size of this labor force, the diversity of their operations and the variety of their social and operations and the variety of their social and demographic characteristics, adequate background demographic characteristics, adequate background information can be established through the coverage information can be established through the coverage of the informal sector by OHS information systems, of the informal sector by OHS information systems, research and studies. research and studies.

Specifically, the community resource mapping Specifically, the community resource mapping undertaken by local government units can provide undertaken by local government units can provide statistics on constituent informal workers, and afford a statistics on constituent informal workers, and afford a quantitative framework in the preparation and quantitative framework in the preparation and formulation of comprehensive plans and programs.formulation of comprehensive plans and programs.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

2. Education Initiatives2. Education Initiatives..

Leverage education at all levels to create awareness Leverage education at all levels to create awareness on occupational safety and health concerns of the on occupational safety and health concerns of the public, in general and the informal sector, in public, in general and the informal sector, in particularparticular..

Integrating OSH in basic education subjects will Integrating OSH in basic education subjects will pave the way to build a healthy and safe culture pave the way to build a healthy and safe culture among the young.among the young.

At the secondary level, discussions must not only At the secondary level, discussions must not only reinforce learning outcomes but also provide reinforce learning outcomes but also provide knowledge on occupational safety and health risks knowledge on occupational safety and health risks that may be encountered in a prospective career that may be encountered in a prospective career choice.choice.

Integration of OSH topics in courses at the tertiary Integration of OSH topics in courses at the tertiary level reinforces the value of maintaining safety and level reinforces the value of maintaining safety and health towards optimum productivity.health towards optimum productivity.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

For workers in the sector, and noting that For workers in the sector, and noting that literacy rates are high, dissemination of literacy rates are high, dissemination of occupational health and safety occupational health and safety information by incorporating OSH in information by incorporating OSH in capability building programs is a viable capability building programs is a viable strategy that underscores the role of OSH strategy that underscores the role of OSH to improve informal sector productivity. to improve informal sector productivity. Given the sporadic pace of informal work, Given the sporadic pace of informal work, off-peak work hours could be utilized to off-peak work hours could be utilized to read and discuss issues and concerns. read and discuss issues and concerns.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

3. 3. Primary health care approach. Primary health care approach. detection and control of occupational exposures will detection and control of occupational exposures will

mainly depend on a system of monitoring and mainly depend on a system of monitoring and management at the level of the local communitymanagement at the level of the local community

these enterprises may have too few workers to be these enterprises may have too few workers to be legally required to have a safety officer or legally required to have a safety officer or committee and hence, accessibility of health committee and hence, accessibility of health services and screening for occupational illness must services and screening for occupational illness must be provided and strengthened in traditional health be provided and strengthened in traditional health sectors and primary community health care servicessectors and primary community health care services

must also engage in preventive and rehabilitative must also engage in preventive and rehabilitative measures with involvement of workers and an measures with involvement of workers and an interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral support system to interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral support system to be a potent and cost effective strategy to improve be a potent and cost effective strategy to improve OHS in the sector. OHS in the sector.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

4. Chemical safety management4. Chemical safety management. .

Information campaign on safe handling of Information campaign on safe handling of chemicals, their risks and health effects, chemicals, their risks and health effects, specifically focusing on the commonly used specifically focusing on the commonly used solvents and pesticidessolvents and pesticides

Simplified safety data sheets for the most Simplified safety data sheets for the most common chemicals in use, with appropriate common chemicals in use, with appropriate advice on risk reduction, first aid and health advice on risk reduction, first aid and health impacts should be produced in the vernacular impacts should be produced in the vernacular and made available to workers in the informal and made available to workers in the informal economyeconomy

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

5. 5. Common facilityCommon facility..

A national campaign emphasizing the safety aspects in A national campaign emphasizing the safety aspects in technology that provides useful examples of low cost technology that provides useful examples of low cost technology designs for small enterprises, must be technology designs for small enterprises, must be launched. launched.

Government can bankroll a common facility for informal Government can bankroll a common facility for informal sector enterprises which provides a worksite layout and sector enterprises which provides a worksite layout and system that will include adequate ratio of hygiene system that will include adequate ratio of hygiene facilities, clustering of similar work processes and facilities, clustering of similar work processes and incorporating ergonomic features for work incorporating ergonomic features for work benches/platforms as well as housekeeping features benches/platforms as well as housekeeping features such as passageways, storage facilities and emergency such as passageways, storage facilities and emergency exits. exits.

The maintenance of said facility could be a community The maintenance of said facility could be a community service using levies paid by the operators for licenses.service using levies paid by the operators for licenses.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

6. Stringent implementation of laws. 6. Stringent implementation of laws.

Government action to rigorously enforce Government action to rigorously enforce laws such as the Clean Air Act that promotes laws such as the Clean Air Act that promotes a general control of vehicle exhaust fumes to a general control of vehicle exhaust fumes to

reduce exposure of informal workers reduce exposure of informal workers operating at roadsides and transport operating at roadsides and transport

terminals.terminals.

The passage of the bill,The passage of the bill, Magna Carta for the Workers in the Informal Magna Carta for the Workers in the Informal

Sector, Sector, in Congress must be supported. in Congress must be supported.

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

Conference on Social Protection and Occupational Conference on Social Protection and Occupational Safety and Health among Informals held at UP Safety and Health among Informals held at UP

SOLAIRSOLAIR stakeholders-participants proposed the following stakeholders-participants proposed the following

changes to be incorporated in the bill:changes to be incorporated in the bill:

Improve existing social security schemes Improve existing social security schemes and the SSS law to cover the informal and the SSS law to cover the informal sector to enable availment of health care sector to enable availment of health care support, insurance, pension and support, insurance, pension and retirement benefits;retirement benefits;

Provision of national government funds to Provision of national government funds to help informal workers upgrade their help informal workers upgrade their business technology and improve their business technology and improve their products;products;

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

Representation in tripartite bodies such as the Representation in tripartite bodies such as the SSS to participate in policy formulation SSS to participate in policy formulation specifically those that concern and affect the specifically those that concern and affect the informal sector;informal sector;

Mandatory local government support and Mandatory local government support and assistance such as provision of permanent, assistance such as provision of permanent, safe, healthy environment for informal safe, healthy environment for informal workers to conduct business;workers to conduct business;

Protection against violence on women, the Protection against violence on women, the majority in the informal sector;majority in the informal sector;

Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH Pursuit of Remedy: Suggested OSH InterventionsInterventions

Monitor and report to duly constituted authorities Monitor and report to duly constituted authorities the presence of child workers in the informal the presence of child workers in the informal sector;sector;

Undertake widespread information dissemination Undertake widespread information dissemination and training on occupational health and safety and training on occupational health and safety standards;standards;

Institute a construction industry development fund Institute a construction industry development fund that shall promote the skills upgrade and that shall promote the skills upgrade and competitiveness of workers through training and competitiveness of workers through training and the social protection fund for construction workers the social protection fund for construction workers in times of emergencies, illness and retirement.in times of emergencies, illness and retirement.

ConclusionConclusion

The bottom line is that a large number of The bottom line is that a large number of workers are killed, injured or suffer illness workers are killed, injured or suffer illness

at work each year. at work each year.

However, occupational safety and health is However, occupational safety and health is still not adequately addressed in national still not adequately addressed in national

and regional agendas for the formal sector, and regional agendas for the formal sector, more so, in the informal sector. more so, in the informal sector.

ConclusionConclusion

It cannot be denied that the informal It cannot be denied that the informal sector, an ever increasing and sector, an ever increasing and

emerging economic force, has the emerging economic force, has the capacity to jeopardize the economic capacity to jeopardize the economic growth and stability of the country if growth and stability of the country if

not appropriately assisted and not appropriately assisted and protected.protected.