House OKs reduction of surface miners’ retirement age

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on labor and employment has endorsed a bill seeking to reduce the retirement age of surface mine workers from 60 to 50 years old.

The committee chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles approved House Bill 4271, which amends Presidential Decree No. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines.

Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, the bill’s principal author, said the proposed amendment would put surface mine workers such as the mill, mechanical, electrical and tailings pond personnel on equal footing with underground miners.

“Surface mine workers, like underground miners, are susceptible and vulnerable to health hazards due to exposure to 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,” Cosalan said.

He said the retirement age for underground mine personnel was reduced from 60 to 50 years old on Feb. 26, 1998 under Republic Act No. 8558.

“The rationale behind this is that the continuous exposure of underground miners to hazardous elements and risks makes them susceptible and vulnerable to all types of health problems and danger,” Cosalan said.

The lawmaker said the reduction in the retirement age for underground miners was reiterated in the implementing rules and regulations issued by the Department of Labor and Employment.

He said he learned that the Social Security System has refused mine workers to be covered by the law and the implementing rules, claiming RA 8558 did not specifically amend the social security law that governs retirement and retirement benefits.

“Hence, it becomes necessary to expressly and specifically amend the Social Security Law to ensure that retired mine workers are allowed to enjoy all the benefits and privileges of SSS members,” he said.