The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has been pushing for the criminalization of OSH standards violations, and the recent building collapse in Angeles, Pampanga that has already claimed 27 lives makes this campaign more urgent than ever.
The acquittal of all the accused is a complete miscarriage of justice. It is evidence to a corrupt justice system that allows public and company officials to pay off deadly crimes against workers. It did not only deny victims and their families justice, it had also set an atrocious precedent that perpetuated a culture of negligence on OSH standards and thus preventable fatalities, injuries, and diseases at work.
"The OSH Law must be more than a compliance checklist or a symbolic policy. It must serve as a real and just mechanism for protecting workers' health, safety, and fundamental human rights."
The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) has recorded 24 workplace deaths in January 2025 alone, based on news reports covering both formal and informal sectors. This alarming figure already accounts for 50% of the total deaths recorded by IOHSAD in 2024, highlighting the urgent need for stronger workplace protections. Fire-related incidents have […]
