THE BIGGEST labor coalition in the country is calling for an increase in the budget for workers’ safety after a string of workplace-related incidents claimed the lives of factory and construction workers last month.
“We call upon Congress to allocate more funds dedicated to worker inspection and visitorial initiatives,” the Nagkaisa labor coalition and the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said in a joint statement released Sunday, citing a recent factory fire in which 15 people were killed.
The groups said “strategic financial reinforcement” will ensure the cultivation of safer work environments and prevent future tragedies in the workplace.
Nagkaisa suggested that trade union leaders could serve as effective inspectors to check up on employers on labor violations and safety hazards.
“One loss of life or injury is too many and a profound tragedy,” Nagkaisa and the FFW said. “They are entirely preventable if basic occupational safety and health measures are observed.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez
