ILS Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz spoke on Hazards at Work: A Study on Child Labor in Crop Agriculture at the 15thOccupational Safety and Health (OSH) National Convention held at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, Tahao Road, Legazpi City, Albay.

“Its important that safety professionals are aware of the dangers at work, particularly on what work hazards child laborers are exposed to. This study shows the different risks they are exposed to specifically in the crop agriculture industry,” said Executive Director Cynthia R. Cruz of the Institute for Labor Studies.

Her talk on Hazards at Work presented the results of the 2012 ILS Study on Hazards at Work: Child Labor in Agriculture, done with the assistance of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The study revealed that child laborers are subjected to various physical and chemical hazards due to strenuous labor, long working hours, exposure to dangerous tools and equipment, and application and handling of fertilizers and pesticides. The study recommended that activities that expose the children to these risks should be considered in updating the country’s hazardous work list.

The Convention was hosted by the Association of Safety Practitioners of the Philippines, Inc. (ASPPI) with the theme “Defining Strategies in the Prevention of Workplace Accidents and Illnesses.” It also gathered occupational safety and health professionals to discuss current developments, share best industry practices in safety and health, and facilitate enhancement of OSH in workplaces.

The ILS is the policy research and advocacy arm of the Department of Labor and Employment. ILS research on child labor is downloadable at its website at www.ils.dole.gov.ph.

(For more information on this press release please contact Ms. Linartes M. Viloria, Chief Labor & Employment Officer, Advocacy & Publications Division, Institute for Labor Studies, Telephone Nos.: 5273490 / 5273447)