Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now requiring delivery and logistics companies to implement measures safeguarding outdoor workforce from heat stress.
The agency said platforms and employers of delivery and motorcycle taxi riders must conduct risk assessments and create safety measures in periods of extreme heat.
Under Labor Advisory No. 22, covered entities are expected to monitor heat-index levels, ensure hydration and cooling breaks, and consider actual working conditions, travel duration, and availability of shelter facilities.
They are also required to provide suitable protective equipment and first-aid assistance, including leniency on delivery schedules.
The labor advisory also provided for the maintenance of 24/7 emergency assistance channels to guarantee that riders “experiencing serious heat-related symptoms are not required to complete their deliveries before receiving assistance.”
The DOLE said platforms and employers are prohibited from imposing deductions or penalties against riders who will take safety breaks, change routes, or cancel deliveries due to unsafe heat conditions.
It also required heat-safety training, enrollment of riders in the Social Security System, and logging of work-related heat illnesses.
