The soaring heat index in the Philippines, reaching up to 46°C, is endangering workers’ health and livelihoods. In Manila, abrupt temperature shifts have already forced school closures. With record-breaking heatwaves expected, outdoor and high-exposure workers face growing risks. Yet, existing protections remain weak, and enforcement is lacking.

According to the Department of Labour and Employment’s (DOLE) Labour Advisory No. 8 (2023), it recommended measures such as flexible work arrangements, access to clean water, work stoppages during peak heat, and wage compensation. However, without strict implementation, these remain ineffective, leaving workers exposed to hazardous conditions and economic insecurity.

The Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) and its affiliate, the National Union of Building and Construction Workers (NUBCW), stress that voluntary guidelines are not enough. The government must introduce legally binding protections that recognise extreme heat as both a climate emergency and an occupational hazard. Officially classifying heatwaves as workplace hazards would enable state intervention, emergency funding, and essential worker protections, such as heat shelters, relief funds, and medical assistance. A dedicated Tripartite Council on Heat Stress—comprising government, employers, and trade unions—must be established to oversee policy implementation, enforce work stoppages, and develop emergency responses based on real-time heat index data.

The BWI-affiliated NUBCW asserted that the government should implement a mandatory heatwave parametric insurance scheme, ensuring automatic wage compensation when temperatures exceed safe limits. Additionally, it said that extreme heat should be classified as a force majeure event in construction contracts to prevent workers and contractors from being penalised for heat-induced delays. This would protect both workers and businesses while prioritising safety.

“Heat stress is not just a workplace issue; it is a climate crisis that requires urgent and sustained intervention. The recent global temperature surge, briefly exceeding the critical 1.5°C warming threshold, underscores the immediate dangers that climate change poses to workers,” NUBCW Secretary General Santiago V. Nolla said. “More than 90 percent of our respondents from North-South Commuter Railway Projects agreed that heat stress has intensified over the past decade. Heat-related illnesses—such as heat stroke, dehydration, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney damage—are becoming more prevalent, especially in construction, agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing.”

“The economic consequences of lost work hours due to extreme heat are mounting, exacerbating income inequality and reducing productivity, while the absence of strong legal protections continues to expose workers to life-threatening conditions without adequate safeguards,” he added.

BWI and NUBCW urge the Philippine government to prioritise heat stress protections in regional and international discussions, particularly ahead of COP 30. Governments must treat heat stress as both a workplace and climate emergency, secure legally binding commitments, and develop comprehensive mitigation strategies, including climate-resilient workplaces, stronger safety infrastructure, and expanded social protections.

The worsening climate crisis demands immediate action. Temporary measures are not enough. Governments, employers, and trade unions must work together to ensure that no worker is forced to choose between their health and their livelihood. Heat stress is a preventable crisis—but only if we act now.