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Occupational health in the Philippines
Elma B Torres1, Ian A Greaves, Joselito L Gapas
1Health Safety and Environmental Management Consultancy Services, Inc., 404 Amberland Plaza, Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600, Philippines.
Occupational Medicine (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|May 25, 2002
Summary
Occupational health and safety (OHS) in the Philippines shows progress but faces resource limitations, especially for small businesses and migrant workers. Strengthening OHS requires better regulation, increased awareness, and enhanced human resource capacity.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Occupational Medicine
- Health Policy
Background:
- The practice of occupational health and safety (OHS) in the Philippines presents a mixed landscape of achievements and challenges.
- Government initiatives have improved access to technical services and manpower development for local industries.
Observation:
- Large-scale industries demonstrate greater success in OHS program implementation compared to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
- SMEs face resource constraints, limiting investments in worker health and safety.
- Migrant workers' OHS conditions are minimally influenced by government oversight.
- The informal sector experiences the most significant deprivation in OHS access, often linked to economic factors.
Findings:
- Sustaining OHS achievements is hampered by inadequate financial and human resources.
- Disparities exist in OHS implementation across different scales of enterprises and worker types.
- Economic solutions are suggested to address OHS deprivations in the informal sector.
Implications:
- Further development of occupational health in the Philippines necessitates improved regulatory frameworks.
- Increasing awareness among all workers regarding the importance of OHS is crucial.
- Capacity building for government agencies and essential human resources is vital for strengthening OHS.