DOLE Wants Additional Paid Leaves for COVID-stricken Workers
DOLE – The Department of Labor and Employment urged employers to give more paid leaves to workers affected by the pandemic.
A lot of people were greatly affected by the recent tightening of the curbs in Metro Manila. Following the holiday season, the COVID-19 cases rose again and it prompted the national government and the authorities to place the whole Metro Manila under Alert Level 3.
Initially, the implementation of the Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila was set from January 3 to January 15. The government decided to extend it until the end of the month as the cases have yet to drop and there is a threat of the possible spread of the Omicron variant.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that around 11,500 workers were displaced from work after Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 3.
Furthermore, according to Bello, some 20,000 workers now are earning less due to new work arrangements with fewer working days or shortened working hours. Thus, the DOLE is urging employers to be more compassionate and give their workers additional paid leaves.
Based on the report, the Labor Secretary stressed that it is not an order to the employers but they are encouraging them to grant more paid leaves for the workers amid the crisis. Furthermore, according to him, employers cannot dismiss workers who refuse to get vaccinated from their jobs. He stressed that there is no legal basis for it.
Some government agencies have ready assistance for their members who will lose their income amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For the members of the Social Security System, they can turn to the SSS Unemployment Benefit. Do you want to apply for this benefit? You may visit – Apply for SSS Unemployment Benefit: Guide on the Application Process.