The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday that there is no such leave as "heat leave."
The statement was made following the extreme heat being felt in different parts of the country brought on by the El Niño phenomenon.
Interviewed in DZRH's Dos Por Dos, DOLE Secretary Buenvenido Laguesma said employees have no heat leave, but there's a condition called "hazardous situation."
Laguesma said that despite not having the heat leave, there are arrangements from private companies that protect employees from doing their job.
"Kasama po sa advisory na tingnan yung adjustment ng kanilang rest break at yung kanilang lugar na pinagtatrabahuan ay mas mainit kumpara sa mga nagdaang araw, baka tingnan po yung pagdadag ng bentilasyon," he said.
"O kaya naman yung heat insulators na makakapawi, hindi man lubusan ay makakatulong po sa kalagayan ng ating mga manggagawa," he furthered.
Laguesma previously issued Labor Advisory No. 8, Series of 2023, recommending measures to avoid heat stress, which include reducing the extreme heat exposure of employees through adequate ventilation and heat insulation in workplaces; adjusting their rest breaks or work locations; allowing them to use temperature-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment; and other suggested efforts include creating protocols and information networks to handle heat-related emergencies as well as launching advocacy campaigns on identifying and addressing workplace heat stress symptoms.
The health and safety measure advice also encourages companies to implement flexible work arrangements that provide adjustments to work hours while preserving the total number of work hours in a day or week until the weather improves, with employee consent.
Additionally, the DOLE stated that employers are urged to work in accordance with the Regional Offices of the DOLE and the Occupational Safety and Health Center—Regional Extension Units—to arrange for technical support in evaluating and creating workplace safety and health protocols pertaining to the prevention and control of heat stress and providing them with free and adequate drinking water.
"Yung ating pakiusap sa ating mga namumuhunan ay baka pwedeng magbigay ng libreng tubig," the DOLE Secretary said.
"Wala pong heat leave pero mayroon tayong mga kondisyon na tinatawag nating 'hazardous situation'. Mayroon namang mga arrangement 'yan na nagbibigay ng pangangalaga at proteksyon sa ating mga manggagawa," he remarked.
