Workers during calamities to get additional pay

MANILA, Philippines – Call center agents and other workers who reported for work despite the heavy rains and massive flooding last Tuesday would get extra pay.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the law provides extra pay for workers who were required to render services in times of calamities.

Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) would be issuing an advisory to enable employers to comply with the pay rules.

“Those who would refuse to comply with the pay rules face sanctions,” she said.

Baldoz also called on employers to ensure the safety of their workers who would be required to report for work despite heavy rains and floods.

Last Tuesday, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 33-A suspending work in government and private offices in Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to massive flooding spawned by the southwest monsoon.

Some government offices resumed operations yesterday but allowed their workers to go home early.

Some government offices resumed operations yesterday but allowed their workers to go home early.

Nicon Fameronag, DOLE spokesman, said employees were sent home at around 2:30 p.m.

No circular suspending work

President Aquino did not issue another circular suspending work in both public and private companies yesterday as heavy rains continued to batter Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

“On the basis of the best available information at the present time, and the recommendation and the forecast of PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), the President will not issue an MC (memorandum circular) suspending work in the government or private sector,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

However, Lacierda said the declaration of some national agencies, including the Commission on Audit, and announcements by local governments on the suspension of work and classes in their own jurisdictions remain in force.

“Even as the situation remains of concern for so many citizens affected by the rain and flooding, it is imperative that we begin returning to normalcy as soon as possible,” he said. “This requires government workers to report to their offices to continue and accelerate efforts at rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. The private sector, too, needs to return to work,” he added.

Lacierda said the delivery of goods and services must resume to speed up the repair of damaged infrastructure and circulation of goods and supplies throughout the metropolitan area and other affected regions.

He called on the people to remain vigilant and keep track of advisories from the authorities concerning the weather.

“We call on our fellow citizens to continue to demonstrate the empathy, sympathy, cooperation, and can-do attitude that have served us so well during this emergency,” he said. –-Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) with Delon Porcalla