'800,000 workers affected by 'Ruby''

MANILA, Philippines - Around 800,000 workers have been affected by Tropical Cyclone "Ruby" that ravaged several provinces in the country, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said Wednesday.

The ILO said that about 370,000 of these workers were in vulnerable employment, living in poverty and accepting whatever work is available to them.

It said the affected workers are in the eight Ruby-battered regions -- Eastern, Central and Western Visayas, Caraga, Bicol, Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B) and Metro Manila.

Eastern Visayas accounted for the highest share of affected workers after "Ruby" and most of them are still recovering from income lost to Super Typhoon Yolanda, ILO said.

The ILO added that over 350,000 workers or roughly 20 percent of the total employed in Eastern Visayas were affected by the typhoon. Of these, more than half were in vulnerable forms of employment.

The ILO said it will allocate $1.5 million and to support the government through emergency employment and sustainable livelihood.

Emergency employment programs guarantee minimum wage, extend social security, health and accident insurance coverage, and ensure safety at work through the presence of on-site medical support and provision of personal protective equipment, such as mask, hat, gloves, boots and protective clothing, the ILO said.

"We're not only putting much-needed cash into these areas, but also helping affected workers to develop new skills, to earn a decent wage and access better working conditions including social protection coverage. These are not just labor rights but also basic human rights, which we need to take into account in times of crisis and disaster,"Lawrence Jeff Johnson, ILO country director for the Philippines, said.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has also set aside funds for emergency employment.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz activated the DOLE's Quick Response Team to help displaced workers.