MANILA, Philippines - A panel in the House of Representatives has approved the proposal to lower the retirement age of surface mine workers from 60 to 50 years old for their health and safety.
Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, said House Bill 4271, which aims to reduce the retirement age of surface miners by amending Article 287 of Presidential Decree No. 442, or known as the Labor Code of the Philippines, has been approved.
House Bill 4271 substituted House Bill 2052 authored by Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan.
Cosalan said the retirement age of surface mine workers namely, mill plant workers and those who work in support services, such as mechanical, electrical and tailings pond personnel, should also be reduced to 50 because they are exposed to the same health and risk hazards.
"Surface mine workers like underground miners are likewise susceptible and vulnerable to health hazards due to exposure to the same hazardous elements. Their jobs include handling and sorting minerals extracted from mining pits and maintaining electrical and mechanical equipment and fixtures in mining sites. Hence, the need to reduce the retirement age for this group of workers as well," said Cosalan.
He said RA 8558, which was approved and passed on February 26, 1998, amended Section 287 of P.D. 442 to reduce the retirement age of underground mine workers or employees from 60 to 50.
"The rationale behind is that the continuous exposure of the underground workers to hazardous elements and risks, which are inevitable when working in the mines, make them susceptible and vulnerable to all types of health problems and danger," said Cosalan, chairman of the House committee on public works and highways and a Vice Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Employment.
He said consequently, in the Implementing Rules and Regulations Prescribing the Retirement Age of Underground Mine Employees, the Department of Labor and Employment reduced the retirement age of underground mine workers to 50 years old, in compliance with RA 8558.
However, he said based on his inquiry, the Social Security System refused to comply with the law on the ground that it did not specifically amend RA 1161 otherwise known as the Social Security Law.