MANILA, Philippines – Most of the workers affected by typhoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas are from the service sector, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said on Thursday.
ILO said of the 5.6 million workers who either temporarily or permanently lost their livelihoods, an estimated 2.8 million were working in the service industry.
ILO Philippine Office Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson said the service sector includes people working in shops, public markets, restaurants, vendors, tricycle and jeepney drivers, mechanics, clerks and teachers.
Johnson said these workers, like farmers and fisherfolks, “have seen their source of income wiped away.”
“At least 2.4 million affected workers were already in a vulnerable situation before the typhoon struck, often living at or under the poverty line, doing whatever work they could find to survive and provide for their families. These people have lost the little they had to begin with. They have no home, no income, no savings and no one to turn to for help,” said Johnson.
Around 1.8 million workers were in agriculture and around 15 percent were in the industry sector.
Johnson said the top priority now is to ensure that the affected workers have access to employment being paid at least the minimum wage, with social protection and safe working conditions.
The ILO is working with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other groups in implementing emergency employment programs to address reconstruction and livelihoods needs.
“These programs comply with Philippine regulation and international labor standards, ensuring that people are not exploited while they help to rebuild their communities and local economies,” Johnson said.
Workers under the emergency employment programs are employed for a minimum of 15 days and are provided with minimum wage and social protection benefits.
“This is a very first step to jump start the economy and quickly put the affected communities back in the driver’s seat in rebuilding their lives. Ensuring minimum wage and social protection will help stimulate economic growth and speed the recovery process.” Johnson said. –ABS-CBNnews.com
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
