Rules set to keep workplace COVID-free

by Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star), 2 May 2020

MANILA, Philippines — With some factories expected to resume soon, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday released guidelines on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the workplace.

In the six-page guidelines, DOLE and DTI said that employers should follow the measures set by the Department of Health (DOH) in testing their workers for infection when they return to work under a modified community quarantine.

“Employers may test workers for COVID-19. Testing kits used and procured shall be the responsibility of the employer,” the guidelines, issued on April 30, stated.

The directive was signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

DOH’s Memorandum No 2020-0180 and Administrative Order No. 2020-0014 ordered companies to formulate their own testing policies that were “agreed upon by employers and workers in conformity with the DOH protocols.”

The DOH maintained that not all employees need to be tested.

Based on DOH protocols, the priorities for testing are workers with symptoms and have been exposed to probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The guidelines reiterate the call for workers to take “extra precautionary measures which include strict hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).”

Employers shall also “ensure that PPE (such as respirators, N95, gowns, gloves) is properly worn by the workers while at work and disposed of accordingly.”

“Workers with a negative test shall continue to work. They should be given appropriate advise and instructions once they develop any health complaints or symptoms. The company OSH (occupational safety and health) personnel shall continue to monitor all workers,” the guidelines added.

Bello has committed to “protect and preserve” jobs amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Bello said the government recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of workers for the country’s growing economy.

“This is the first time in recent history that we are witnessing widespread suffering of our family, neighbors and community. This is the first time in recent history that we witness how our social and economic lives are at a standstill,” he noted.

He added that despite the pandemic that the Philippines is facing with the rest of the world, Filipino workers continue to trust the government that it will be able to pull them out of the crisis.

The official has assured the public that the government will not let them down.

The non-government organization Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) urged the government to uphold workers’ health and safety amid the pandemic.

IOHSAD criticized the labor department’s failure to provide concrete and relevant occupational safety and health-related orders that would protect workers who are required to work even under the enhanced community quarantine.

Since the pandemic broke out, the department had only released one labor advisory that addressed workplace health and safety.

“If the government wants workers to work amidst the pandemic, then it should protect workers from being infected. If it doesn’t, then it is criminally liable for workers’ infection and even death. The so-called ‘new normal’ should not mean the massacre of the country’s workers,” said Nadia de Leon, IOHSAD executive director.

Job applicants

According to YouthWorks PH, a youth employability project of the United States Agency for International Development and Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), government regulations that shuttered businesses deemed to be not essential have caused a freeze in hiring and general recruitment activities in businesses.

“The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that we need to have a deeper understanding of our workforce development system so we can come up with immediate and appropriate policy responses to issues like sudden unemployment, lack of job security and the future of our workforce under a new normal,” said PBEd executive director and YouthWorks PH chief of party Lovelaine Basillote. – With Janvic Mateo, Rhodina Villanueva, Paolo Romero