Tag: Workers

‘Staggering’ number of workers facing climate change-induced health hazards: UN

GENEVA, April 22, 2024 (AFP) – A large majority of workers worldwide are facing a cocktail of health hazards linked to climate change, the UN said Monday, warning that existing regulations were not equipped to offer adequate protection. “A staggering number of workers are already being exposed to climate change-related hazards in the workplace, and these figures are only likely to get worse,” the United Nations’ International Labour Organization said in a report. Agricultural workers […]

S. Korea orders striking doctors back to work, threatens legal action

SEOUL, Feb 19, 2024 (AFP) – South Korea ordered trainee doctors back to work Monday after they resigned en masse to protest medical training reforms, with the government looking at using military medics to cope with shortfalls. South Korea says it has one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among developed countries, and the government is pushing hard to increase the number of doctors, partly to help a fast-ageing society. But doctors have voiced fierce opposition […]

“Red Cup Rebellion” erupts as Starbucks workers walk out over labor issues

NEW YORK, Nov 16, 2023 (AFP) – Worker activists at Starbucks called for a strike at unionized coffee shops in the United States on Thursday as the labor group seeks to pressure the coffee giant on stalled contract talks. The employee walkout, dubbed “Red Cup Rebellion,” was timed with a holiday-oriented company promotion that the labor group says is representative of company initiatives marred by understaffing and employee stress. About 360 Starbucks locations with more […]

Call for max working temperature cap after EU heatwave deaths

by Patrick Galey Agence France-Press PARIS, France (AFP) — Trade unions called Monday for the European Commission to impose maximum temperature limits for outdoor workers, after three people died while on shift in Madrid during last week’s withering heatwave. While a handful of member states have legislation limiting working hours in excessive heat, the thresholds vary and many nations have no nationwide heat limits. According to research by the polling agency Eurofound, 23 percent of […]

PHL reports 4.25 million unemployed in Sept; 8.9% unemployment rate highest this year

Agriculture, manufacturing, info and communication sector report biggest drop in employment   (Eagle News) — The Philippines recorded its highest unemployment rate since January this year at 8.9 percent this September when the country was recording between 12,000 to more than 26,000 new COVID-19 cases per day. The 8.9 percent unemployment rate came about after the number of unemployed in the Philippines increased from 3.88 million in August 2021 to 4.25 million in the succeeding […]

Bello says “no jab-no pay” illegal, urges workers to report such incidents

(Eagle News) — Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III urged workers who have not been receiving any pay from their employers because of their failure to get vaccinated, to report this to the Department of Labor and Employment. Bello said that non-payment of wages just because a worker had not yet received a vaccine is illegal. “Yung hindi pagkabakuna, hindi legal basis yun,” Bello stressed in an interview with the NET25-Radyo Agila program “Ano Sa Palagay […]

President Duterte hails healthcare workers, frontliners in essential sectors in Labor Day message

(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte hailed Filipino healthcare workers and frontliners in essential sectors for their unwavering commitment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In extolling Filipino workers in his Labor Day message, President Duterte noted Filipinos have found “new meaning” in the annual commemoration, as the country continues to battle COVID-19. “This year, we honor our Filipino workers who–fueled not just by the desire to support their families and advance their careers–have tirelessly toiled these […]

Moscow starts inoculating vulnerable workers against coronavirus

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Moscow on Saturday began vaccinating workers at high risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus at newly opened clinics across the city. Health officials said they had opened 70 coronavirus vaccine centres in the Russian capital that would initially offer jabs for health, education and social workers. “Citizens from the main risk groups who in connection with their professional activities come into contact with a large number of people can get […]

Labor dep’t to give subsidy to employers who won’t fire workers during pandemic

(Eagle News) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is prepared to give 25 percent to 50 percent subsidy to employers who will retain their present employees, or even hire more people, amid the COVID-19 crisis. This incentive, according to Labor Secretary Silvestri Bello III, is part of their program to protect the “employment status” of workers in the formal sector. “Ngayon, mayroon din po tayong programa para sa mga formal workers and this […]

UK exempts care staff from migrant health tax

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The British government on Thursday announced that foreign care workers would be exempt from a charge imposed on migrants to fund the health service, after an outcry sparked by the coronavirus outbreak. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had defended the immigration health surcharge as recently as Wednesday, saying it raised much-needed funds for the state-run National Health Service (NHS). But Keir Starmer, the main opposition Labour leader, condemned the levy at […]

Palace: Land and sea-based OFWs can now leave for abroad; recruitment firms allowed in modified ECQ, GCQ areas

  (Eagle News) – Malacanang said that it is allowing land-based and sea-based overseas Filipino workers to leave and work for abroad provided that they would submit a signed declaration that they know the risks involved in working outside the country. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that because OFWs are now allowed to leave the country, recruitment and placement agencies that would process their papers would be allowed to operate in areas under Modified Enhanced […]

DOLE says P5,000 in financial assistance for each worker affected by enhanced community quarantine to be released

(Eagle News)–The Department of Labor and Employment on Friday, March 20, said it would release P5000 in financial assistance each to workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a radio interview the beneficiaries are based on the payroll list submitted to Department of Labor and Employment by employers. He added the  Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Displaced/Underprivileged Workers (TUPAD) financial assistance program for informal workers will start today. President Rodrigo Duterte […]