(Photo courtesy of PNA)
MANILA – The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) has broadened its compensation coverage to include additional heat-related illnesses and injuries suffered by platform workers while performing their jobs.
Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino announced the expanded protection Friday during a meeting with digital platform companies and stakeholders to address occupational safety and health (OSH) risks, particularly those linked to El Niño and extreme temperatures.
Representatives from ATIN, Flash Express, Foodpanda, Grab, InDrive, Lalamove, Lazada, Maxim (Taxsee Philippines), Move It, Ninja Van, Para Xpress Technology Services Inc., and Shopee attended the dialogue.
The discussions highlighted the health and safety challenges confronting delivery riders and other platform workers who spend extended periods outdoors under intense heat.
ECC Executive Director Kaima Velasquez said the commission had issued a resolution recognizing additional heat-related conditions that may qualify for Employees’ Compensation (EC) benefits.
“We came out with a resolution that reiterates the coverage of heat-related diseases while also recognizing the new heat-related diseases that workers may encounter while working outdoors and exposed to extreme temperature,” Velasquez said.
The newly recognized conditions include heat syncope, which causes fainting or dizziness; heat rash or bungang araw; rhabdomyolysis, a condition involving muscle damage; dehydration resulting in kidney injury; and neurological disorders affecting the nervous system.
Velasquez clarified that heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion have long been recognized as potentially compensable occupational illnesses for workers exposed to excessive heat.
“We have long recognized heat-related diseases, namely heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion, which may be compensable in cases involving workers, whose jobs or working conditions entail exposure to excessive heat,” she added.
The expanded coverage aims to strengthen protection for platform workers facing increasing health risks from prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures while carrying out their duties.
