Key Industries Support Revision of Hazardous Work for Minors
Several key industries in Luzon have voiced strong support for revising the national guidelines on hazardous work prohibited for minors. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) initiated consultations to review these regulations, aiming to better protect young workers across sectors.
From April to May, DOLE’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) engaged stakeholders in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and creative sectors. The discussions focused on updating Department Order No. 149, series of 2016, which defines dangerous work banned for those under 18 years old.
This revision aligns with Executive Order No. 79, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which institutionalizes the MAKABATA Program and Helpline 1383. These initiatives work to eradicate child labor and strengthen child protection mechanisms nationwide.
Consultations Emphasize Child Welfare and Safety
During a session in Batangas on May 23, DOLE Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez highlighted that all proposed amendments must prioritize “the best interests of the child,” consistent with the government’s people-centered governance approach.
Earlier consultations took place in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region, and CALABARZON. These meetings pinpointed the risks minors face, especially in informal and rural work environments.
Industry Concerns and Recommendations
In Pampanga, representatives from agriculture and manufacturing raised alarms about unsafe conditions for youth workers. They called for stricter enforcement, regular workplace inspections, and community-level programs to protect minors.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila’s construction and media sectors urged clearer definitions of hazardous tasks. They also recommended updating policies to address new work trends like digital and remote work.
Dr. Jimmy Dumlao II from the Philippine Pediatric Society stressed that ensuring child safety at work must also consider their emotional and psychosocial well-being.
Addressing Poverty and Child Labor in Rural Areas
Participants from CALABARZON voiced concerns over child labor in household-based and farming work. They urged a coordinated effort to tackle poverty-related causes driving children into hazardous labor.
Technical experts from the DOLE Occupational Safety and Health Center and the Institute for Labor Studies presented recent data on occupational hazards and child labor prevalence across industries.
All recommendations will be forwarded to the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council for review to finalize amendments to DO 149.
DOLE also completed consultations in Western Visayas and SOCCSKSARGEN to ensure a thorough national approach to this issue. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit position papers to BWSC to strengthen these policies and reflect the realities faced by vulnerable children nationwide.
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