The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is pushing for more flexible delivery policies to protect platform-based riders from penalties caused by delays during extreme heat, particularly amid the anticipated effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
DOLE Cavite Provincial Office Director Marivic Martinez said Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino is expected to meet with delivery platform operators and rider organizations to discuss measures aimed at improving working conditions and protecting riders from heat-related risks.
Speaking during a Philippine Information Agency radio program, Martinez said the discussions would focus on encouraging delivery companies to relax penalties imposed on riders who fail to meet delivery deadlines because of difficult weather conditions.
“Layon ng pag-uusap na ito na hikayatin ang mga kumpanya na luwag-luwagan ang kanilang mga polisiya lalo sa mga penalty kapag hindi nakakapag-deliver ang mga driver sa tamang oras sa kanilang mga platform companies,” Martinez said.
Delivery riders face prolonged exposure to high temperatures, heavy traffic, and road hazards while transporting food, groceries, and other goods to customers.
The department emphasized that worker safety should remain a priority, particularly as the anticipated El Niño phenomenon could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers.
Under Republic Act No. 11058, or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law, covered employers must comply with workplace safety requirements to protect workers from occupational hazards.
However, the application of specific labor protections to platform-based delivery riders depends on their employment arrangements and applicable legal classifications.
Martinez assured workers that DOLE would intensify efforts to enforce applicable labor regulations and ensure that establishments comply with occupational safety and health standards.
“We will exert double efforts to ensure that workers are in good condition,” she said.
She also urged employers across the region to prepare appropriate workplace health and safety measures ahead of the expected El Niño conditions.
DOLE said it would continue providing technical assistance, conducting workplace inspections, and coordinating with employers and workers’ organizations to address occupational risks.
The department also encouraged delivery platforms to adopt more considerate scheduling and penalty policies that account for extreme weather conditions.
Consumers were likewise urged to exercise patience and understanding when deliveries are delayed due to weather-related safety concerns.
