‘Pablo’ affects 2.3-M Filipino workers – ILO

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) directly affected an estimated 2.3 million Filipino workers as of Friday, December 14, according to the Internatinal Labor Organization (ILO).

Majority of those affected are women, youth aged 15 to 24, and unpaid family workers. Expectedly, most of them come from the Davao Region, the area worst hit by the typhoon.

ILO also noted the livelihood of 767,000 agricultural and fishery workers were affected.

The Department of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated damages to agricultural sector at P11.56 billion and 10.37 billion for agricultural commodities as of December 11.

“Urgent action is needed to rebuild communities and livelihoods. Workers in vulnerable forms of employment, farmers and indigenous peoples are even more at risk than most to such disasters, and are often forced to accept any kind of work just to survive,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

Ryder arrived in Manila on Sunday, December 16, for a two-day visit.

He extended his condolences to the victims.

“My deepest condolences and sympathies go to those who lost their loved-ones in Tropical Storm Washi a year ago, and also to those affected more recently by Typhoon Bopha,” he said.

“Such natural disasters affect lives as well as livelihoods. The effect of losing your loved-one, your home, and your income at the same time is unimaginable,” he added. – Rappler.com

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