DoLE issues guidelines on virus-related absences

By William B. Depasupil, Manila Times, 1 Feb 2020

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is encouraging employers and business establishments to be flexible and compassionate in granting additional leave with pay to workers who need to take a leave of absence because of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd on Friday issued an advisory setting the guidelines on nCov prevention and control at the workplace, which include provisions for leave of absence, hospital benefits and assistance to be provided by DoLE.

“For workers who need to take a leave to take care of their children or parents afflicted or suspected of having 2019-nCoV, or choose to stay away from work on their own accord due to contact with a confirmed or suspected 2019-nCoV to avoid its transmission, employers are encouraged to adopt a flexible and enlightened approach in granting time-off which may include use of leave credits, if there is any,” Bello said.

A worker’s leave of absence may be charged to his or her annual or vacation leave credits, depending on company policy or as stipulated in the collective bargaining agreement.

Bello said employers could consider granting leave of absence without pay if the worker’s leave credits have been used up, adding “by mutual agreement, employers and workers could also agree on other arrangements for the worker’s leave of absence.”

On healthcare benefits, Bello said workers and their dependents infected by the virus can avail of PhilHealth hospital benefits, and that those who contracted the disease in the performance of their duties are entitled to additional benefits under the Social Security System and employee’s compensation benefits under Presidential Decree 626 or the “Employees Compensation Law.”

The Labor department also provides assistance to local and overseas Filipino workers in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the International Labor Affairs Bureau.

Employers were also directed to take precautionary measures in the workplace through updated information about the virus, including its transmission, disease outcome, and treatment options, and maintenance of proper hygiene like cleaning the work areas with disinfectant and make sure that water, soap and sanitizer are available in washrooms and toilets.

In workplaces where workers could be at risk of infection such as health-care and other frontline services, the employer will take protective measures to avoid, correct or remove such imminent danger.