O-48 Policy Issues on Work and Employment in Small Scale Mining Industries in the Philippines

Objective Small scale mining (SSM) has contributed 14% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Philippines. The aim of the study is to look into policy issues on work and employment of small scale miners in the Philippines. Methods The data were based on gray literature, peer-reviewed journals, databases, government statistics, and secondary literature on major mining disasters in the Philippines, and the impact of regulation or lack thereof in this industry. Results Research findings show that mining work is artisanal, with use of simple tools, and lack of sophisticated equipment and processes. There is massive use of toxic chemicals such as cyanide and mercury that have been associated with adverse health problems. The study review showed certain health issues due to cyanide and mercury poisoning from mining such as rapid breathing, gasping, tremors, convulsions, headache, dizziness and thyroid enlargement and eventually death, and children ages 17 years old and below experienced cough, wheezing, shortness of breath. In Western Mindanao, workers were found to be exposed to high levels of mercury. Gastrointestinal complaints of the workers were significantly associated with elevated hair methylmercury levels. Despite these, the government has no existing specific regulation and monitoring system for safety and health among small scale miners in the Philippines. Other policy issues included the following-that small scale mining is unregulated and unrecognized, absence of social safety net protection for the sector. Conclusion Based on the research and policy reviews, there is a need to integrate the small scale mining into the labour economy so as to regulate and prevent hazardous work practices.