WITH more than three million workers needed each year for infrastructure projects, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) yesterday called on the government to make sure that its construction projects are compliant with existing occupational health and safety (OSH) standards.
In a statement, FFW said it is imperative for the construction sector to make sure that all workers are protected from hazards and risks at work.
“Given the hazards inherent to construction sites, we are making an earnest call to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to prioritize safety and health orientations for the incoming workforce,” the FFW said.
“Every worker must be thoroughly equipped with safety protocols and risk mitigation strategies. The well-being of the workforce is indispensable,” it added.
The labor group also strongly urged workers to consider improving their skills, saying this will result to better employability if one can adequately meet the demands of the jobs.
“Construction, as a rapidly growing job-generation sector, offers tremendous opportunities for the Filipino workforce,” said the labor group.
“With evolving industry demands, we insist on the importance of reskilling and upskilling, and enabling workers to master the latest techniques, technologies, and best practices,” it added.
Last Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said they would need more than three million workers each year for the infrastructure program of the administration.
Bonoan said the demand for both skilled and unskilled workers is due to the 70,000 big and small planned infrastructure projects.
