ILOILO City – It’s not mandatory for employers or owners of business establishments in Western Visayas to give hazard pay to their employees during this period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
However, DOLE Region 6 encourages those who can afford to grant such pay to their workers, especially those on the frontlines.
According to John Mandario, DOLE-6 information officer, there is no law obliging private sector employers to give hazard pay unlike in government where it is mandatory.
“Actually duha lang ran ka circumstances nga puede makabaton sang hazard pay ang private workers. First, at the discretion of employers kag ikaduha, if there is an existing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) sa tunga sang employer and the labor union,” Mandario told Panay News.
“Kon may ginkasugtan nga mahatag sang hazard pay to employees facing a high level of risk sa ila pagpatigayon sang ila trabaho,” he said.
Private sector employers are also not obliged to give assistance to workers infected with COVID-19 in line with their work, added Mandario, but they can shell out aid based on their willingness or discretion.
But Mandario cited the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), a corporation attached to the DOLE for policy coordination and guidance. Through it, coronavirus-hit private sector workers and even public sector employees can avail themselves of assistance.
What are the requirements?
* workers/human resource personnel must download this form: www.sss.gov.ph/sss/DownloadContent?fileName=SSSForm_EC Claim_Temp_Disability_Sickness.pdf
* certificate of employment
* medical abstract or medical certificate
* reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test result
* clear photocopy of at least two valid IDs
The requirements shall then be submitted to the nearest Social Security System (SSS) branch.
With the rising cases of COVID-19 and its variants, Mandario encouraged employers to also give importance to the health of their workers.
“Amo gid ‘na ang basic naton nga ginaduso – ang safety sang mga workers naton. May ara kita occupational and safety hazard guidelines nga dapat sundon sang employees,” said Mandario.
SAFETY SEAL
Mandario also encouraged establishments to secure a Safety Seal Certification that affirms the company’s compliance to applicable minimum public health standards (MPHS) against COVID-19 set by the government, including the adoption or integration with the StaySafe.ph in contact tracing application.
The seal shall be displayed conspicuously at all entrance points according to prescribed dimensions. Obtaining the Safety Seal shall be at no cost to the establishment.
“We are calling for the establishment to secure safety seal as a way of assurance sa safety sang ila clients,” said Mandario./PN