DOLE moves to shield delivery riders from heat-related penalties, perils

MANILA, Philippines—Delivery riders may be protected from penalties for heat-related delays under a proposed labor advisory being drafted by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to protect workers from the effects of the El Niño phenomenon and other periods of extreme heat.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino met with representatives of 13 ride-hailing, delivery and e-commerce platforms on Friday to discuss measures to prevent and manage heat stress among riders.

The companies included Grab, Angkas, Foodpanda, Lalamove, Shopee, Maxim, Move It, Para Xpress Technology Services Inc., InDrive, Flash Express, Lazada, Ninja Van and Alliance of Tech Innovators for the Nation (ATIN).

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“The goal is to ensure that delivery riders are not penalized and customers are not inconvenienced,” Tolentino said.

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Under the proposed advisory, platforms would be prohibited from deducting riders’ earnings, reducing their rankings or incentives, suspending their accounts, or restricting their access to future bookings because of heat-related emergencies, cooling breaks, or the need to seek water or shelter.

The guidelines would also require platforms to establish 24/7 emergency hotlines and provide first-aid guidance during heat-related emergencies.

Platforms would have to stay in contact with riders until emergency responders arrive or their conditions stabilize. They could also reassign or cancel deliveries in an emergency.

Riders who suffer heat-related illnesses would not be required to return to work on the same day. Those who receive medical care would need a physician’s clearance before resuming work.

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Four heat-index categories

The proposed guidelines outline safety measures for four heat-index levels.

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At 27°C to 32°C, platforms would have to provide drinking water, rest areas and hydration reminders.

At 33°C to 41°C, they would need to provide additional safeguards, including rest breaks, protective equipment and longer delivery times.

When the heat index reaches 42°C to 51°C, platforms would have to reduce or suspend deliveries in affected areas, while riders could refuse unsafe assignments without penalty.

Outdoor deliveries would be suspended at 52°C or higher, except for essential or emergency deliveries that could be carried out safely.

Monchito Ibrahim, lead convenor of ATIN, expressed support for measures to improve riders’ safety while keeping services convenient for customers.

“At the end of the day, anything that’s actually going to make life easier for them [workers], their work safer, and more importantly, making everything more convenient to our customers, the ordinary Filipino people, we will always be very, very supportive of that,” he said.

The proposed advisory is one of four labor advisories Dole is developing in preparation for the upcoming drought season.

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The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has warned that El Niño may persist from September through December and possibly into early 2027. /gsg