Labor says oil price hikes dissipate wage increases

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday said the continued increase in fuel prices will water down the value of the salary adjustments recently approved by the regional wage boards.

In a statement, TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said the oil price increases are unacceptable as they eat away the benefits of the salary adjustments to be implemented in 14 regions.

“The buying power of the current wage adjustments are being dissipated by the series of previous and present extraordinary increases in prices of fuel, basic commodities, and cost of services,” said Mendoza.

“These will have no impact in lifting the lives of workers from worsening poverty caused by the pandemic crisis,” he added.

Mendoza pointed how the fuel price increases will trigger upward adjustments in the prices of basic commodities and the cost of services.

“Because of extraordinary inflation, the series of wage increase orders issued by the wage boards failed to restore the purchasing power of wages,” said Mendoza.

In recent weeks, 14 regional wage boards have issued wage orders granting minimum wage rate adjustments.

The 14 wage orders are to take effect starting this month, according to the Department of Labor and Employment. - By Gerard Naval

TUCP proposes P470 salary increase

Representatives of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines seek an across the board salary increase of P470 for the National Capital Region at the NCR wage board in Gen Malvar, St., Manila on Monday. The group urged the labor department to consider the proposed increase, which will bring the minimum wage to P1,007 per day, citing that no wage hike has been implemented in the past two years amid rising costs of living across the country. - ABS-CBN News

‘No work, no pay’ rule for unvaxxed workers unfair, say labor groups

LOCAL labor groups and even business leaders cried foul over the proposed “no work, no pay” policy that the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) plans to implement for unvaccinated employees starting December 1, 2021.

A representative of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) claims that the policy is a form of punishment and discrimination for employees who have not gotten vaccinated against the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Alan Tanjusay, TUCP national spokesperson, said the national government should provide incentives to their employees in order to convince them to get vaccinated such as giving them paid leaves, financial bonuses, rice allowance, or simply providing shuttle services going to vaccination sites.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has issued Resolution 148 and 149 that would require all on-site employees to be vaccinated.

Labor Assistant Secretary Teresita Cucueco said in an online briefing on Monday, November 22, that employees who don’t want to get vaccinated may opt to undergo RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing but the payment must come from their own pocket.

Cucueco added that the “No work, no pay” rule may be applied to on-site workers who refuse to be vaccinated and cannot present a negative RT-PCR test.

Aside from TUCP, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) Central Visayas has condemned the move of the labor department, saying that vaccination is not mandatory under Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 that was signed by President Duterte in February 2021.

Lawyer Nora Ana Meterio-Diego, ALU Central Visayas vice president, told Sunstar Cebu that the government should shoulder the expenses for the swab testing and antigen test of unvaccinated employees.

“The government should incentivize rather than punish or deprive unvaccinated workers,” Diego said.

LOCAL labor groups and even business leaders cried foul over the proposed “no work, no pay” policy that the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) plans to implement for unvaccinated employees starting December 1, 2021.

A representative of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) claims that the policy is a form of punishment and discrimination for employees who have not gotten vaccinated against the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Alan Tanjusay, TUCP national spokesperson, said the national government should provide incentives to their employees in order to convince them to get vaccinated such as giving them paid leaves, financial bonuses, rice allowance, or simply providing shuttle services going to vaccination sites.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has issued Resolution 148 and 149 that would require all on-site employees to be vaccinated.

Labor Assistant Secretary Teresita Cucueco said in an online briefing on Monday, November 22, that employees who don’t want to get vaccinated may opt to undergo RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) testing but the payment must come from their own pocket.

Cucueco added that the “No work, no pay” rule may be applied to on-site workers who refuse to be vaccinated and cannot present a negative RT-PCR test.

Aside from TUCP, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) Central Visayas has condemned the move of the labor department, saying that vaccination is not mandatory under Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 that was signed by President Duterte in February 2021.

Lawyer Nora Ana Meterio-Diego, ALU Central Visayas vice president, told Sunstar Cebu that the government should shoulder the expenses for the swab testing and antigen test of unvaccinated employees.

“The government should incentivize rather than punish or deprive unvaccinated workers,” Diego said.

Diego said this will be a disadvantage to workers who have allergic reactions and may face serious illness when inoculated with the vaccine.

The Federation of Free Workers also questioned the legality of the policy since it contradicts Section 12 of RA 11525 which bars the use of vaccine cards as a requirement for educational, employment and other similar government purposes.

The labor groups also urged employers not to wait for any directive from the government in giving incentives since this is for the welfare of their workforce.

On the management side, an official of the Filipino Cebuano Business Club (FilCeb) said that although they are for the vaccination of employees, implementing a “no work, no pay” rule for unvaccinated workers is a “counterproductive” move.

FilCeb chairman Rey Calooy said human resource (HR) personnel for various firms should offer incentives to workers or proper counseling to persuade them to get vaccinated.

“We need education within the company on the benefits of getting vaccinated. And the HR should understand why that particular employee won’t get vaccinated. Maybe that person has psychological hesitance or phobia that they can talk about,” he said.

Calooy said only a small group of employees remains unvaccinated. However, to pave the way for economic recovery, there should be understanding and assessment of employees who remain unvaccinated.

Calooy said instead of forcing them to get vaccinated, employers could offer their workers paid leave for a day just to convince them to get vaccinated or offer free rides to their workers if they are going to vaccination centers.

Meanwhile, Tanjusay added that they support the three-day national vaccination drive organized by the government and said that if November 29 and December 1 will be declared as special non-working holidays, then this is something that they would consider as an incentive for workers. (IRT, JOB)

Gobyerno, mga kompanya dapat sagutin RT-PCR test ng mga manggagawa: grupo

MAYNILA - Nabibigatan pa rin ang isang labor group sa panibagong price cap na ipapataw ng Department of Health (DOH) sa mga RT-PCR test kontra COVID-19. 

Sabi ng ALU-TUCP, mabigat pa rin sa bulsa ng karaniwang economic frontliner ang inaprubahang price cap ng Department of Health, na tinatayang nasa P2,450 hanggang P3,360 depende sa kung saan magpapatingin. 

Giit nila, dapat gobyerno o mga kompanya ang umako sa gastos. 

"Stagnant ang wages simula noong March last year, walang dagdag. Pero yung mga presyo ng mga bilihin at mga serbisyo ay tumataas so ang value ng sahod ng mga manggagawa ngayong pandemya ay napakaliit. Kung idadagdag pa natin ang cost ng testing, wala na silang maiuuwi para sa kanilang mahal sa buhay," ani ALU-TUCP Spokesperson Alan Tanjusay. 

Simula Setyembre 6, nasa P2,450 hanggang P2,800 na ang RT-PCR test sa mga pampublikong pasilidad. Samantalang nasa P2,940 hanggang P3,360 naman sa mga pribadong pasilidad. 

Kung magpapa-home service ay dadagdagan ito ng P1,000. 

Noong Agosto 16 naman ay ginawang P960 ang price cap ng antigen testing. 

Ayon sa DOH, ginawa nila ito para umano pasok sa budget ng pubkliko, at para bumilis ang testing capacity ng bansa. 

"Meron tayong laging target for testing. nung una ang target natin 70K, sumunod 90-100k so that we can be able to decrease our positivity rate to 5%. Once transmisison had been reduced, we can see positivity rate decreasing as well," ani DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. 

Tutulong ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at DOH sa pag-monitor sa mga laboratoryo at iba pang pasilidad na nagsasagawa ng testing kung nasusunod ito at walang nag-o-overprice. 

"So yung international price survey tapos yung mga suppliers and manufacturers nito, merong data ang DOH. We conducted also jointly with them, public consultations para sa mga suppliers, manufacturers, operators ng testing laboratories and private hospitals and public hospitals," ani DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo. 

Sagot naman ng Employers' Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) na di rin kakayanin ng mga kompanyang akuuin ang regular na pagte-test ng mga empleyado. 

"At the end of the day, talagang ibaba mo man nang ibaba sa kalahati yan, mahal pa rin eh dapat talaga gumawa na ng remedyo ang gobyerno. Irepurpose nila ang budget," ani ECOP President Sergio Ortiz Luis. 

Pero sabi ng DOH, nag-donate sila ng testing kits sa maraming laboratoryo kaya operational cost lang dapat ang babayaran ng magpapa-test. 

-- Ulat ni April Rafales, ABS-CBN News

Proposed police clearance for DOLE transactions has chilling effect on workers — solon

The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) proposal to require a national police clearance for transactions with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will have a chilling effect on the "free and unfettered" exercise of workers rights, TUCP (Trade Union Congress of the Philippines) party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza said Friday. 

In a statement, Mendoza described the police's suggestion as an "unwarranted infringement of the constitutional rights of workers to self-organization."

"On its face, the request of the PNP to require those dealing with the DOLE to submit national police clearances superimposes the heavy-handed police state security apparatus on our labor relations system," Mendoza said.

"It is violative of our right to organize and unduly expands the discretion of the State in intervening in the exercise of our constitutional rights," he added.

Further, Mendoza is urging DOLE to reject the PNP's proposal. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has said the suggestion is already under consideration.

In a letter to Bello dated March 10, 2021, PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said the PNP is hoping that the DOLE will support the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) “by making the NPC as one of your requirements in your various transactions.”

It was not specified what types of transactions would require the national police clearance.

For Mendoza, the said requirement would only intimidate and scare off workers from exercising their rights, noting that it may be an "insurmountable hurdle" in registering a union.

"It will emasculate the exercise of labor rights and will make a mockery of the labor justice system," Mendoza said.

The Associated Labor Unions also denounced the proposal, saying it is an added burden to workers and will threaten industrial peace in the country. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News

TUCP backs calls for China pullout from reef

MANILA, Philippines — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) supports the statements of Secretaries Delfin Lorenzana and Teodoro Locsin Jr. in demanding the withdrawal of Chinese naval, militia and maritime presence in and around Julian Felipe Reef.

The TUCP believes that the Chinese presence is “an encroachment both of the territorial integrity of the Philippines and a denigration of national sovereignty.”

“With these senior officials of government, we cannot, as an independent, self-respecting people, allow this brazen effrontery and continuing Chinese incursion into the Philippines, to remain unmet and unchallenged,” the group said.

It added that “not only is Chinese presence violating the rights of our fishermen to Philippine fishing waters and denying them their right to their livelihood and a decent living, the Chinese are endangering our national food security. Further, they are denying the fundamental right of the Filipino people to develop and fully exploit the bounties of our territorial seas, as well as that of our exclusive economic zone and all that is above and beneath.”

In calling on Filipinos to support defense chief Lorenzana and Locsin of foreign affairs, the TUCP noted that “too much has transpired in the near-term, including Chinese reclamation work in what are clearly Philippine territorial waters, characterized by a not-so-veiled build-up of a threatening external military presence.”

“That makes it imperative for Filipinos to now demonstrate unqualified, multisectoral support for the strong, categorical statement of both Secretaries Lorenzana and Locsin demanding that the Chinese leave and vacate what is ours,” TUCP stressed.

It noted that the Filipino people and workers are long-time friends of the Chinese working class.

“The long history of struggle of both the Filipino working class and the Chinese working class in our respective countries have been animated by both strong nationalist fervor and a rejection of foreign encroachment into our respective territories. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese now work in the Philippines, even as there are hundreds of thousands of Filipinos also working in Chinese territories,” the group said.

“We have both contributed to creating employment opportunities for each other’s peoples, as well as helping each other’s economies progress. This is the kind of confidence building and trust which our respective peoples should foster. It is in this spirit that we speak candidly and call on China to match deed to words, and respect, observe and abide with Philippine national sovereignty, if we, as peoples and nations, will truly keep the peace and build prosperity for all,” TUCP said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said yesterday that President Duterte’s plan to use his “friendship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease tensions in the West Philippine Sea “will not work as Beijing has never acted as a friend of Filipinos.”

She issued the statement following presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s assurance that Duterte would privately resolve the alarming intrusion of hundreds of Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea as he is “friends with Xi.”

“It would be a good thing if that (friendship) had been marked by mutual respect. But we’ve been too respectful that even if China has been blatantly doing wrong, we bow to them, and they’re not showing friendship or respect to us,” Hontiveros told CNN Philippines.

She said Beijing’s violations of the country’s sovereign rights and international laws have been flagrant – from enacting a sweeping and draconian coast guard law to driving away Filipino fishermen, from harassing an ABS-CBN news crew to building militarized artificial islands.

Hontiveros described Roque’s statements as a double-whammy against proper diplomacy and freedom of information.

“Malacañang, do something. China is becoming the region’s biggest bully. It’s time to unequivocally stand up to her. We must confront who supposedly is our best friend. Those vessels have been in our waters for the past many weeks. When will all these lies stop?” the senator said.

For her, the Duterte administration must be ashamed that the country does not have freedom of navigation in its own waters.

“And it’s infuriating to repeatedly hear statements from the highest office of our government, of our nation, that the Philippines and China will resolve these issues because we are ‘friends’,” Hontiveros said.

“So the call remains: we demand that every single Chinese vessel leave Philippine territory. Their continued and obstinate presence is a direct challenge to the international rules-based order in the oceans that has maintained stability in the region for so long,” she added. — Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star )  / Catherine Talavera

Stringent rules hamper OFW repatriation efforts

Stringent and at times discriminatory regulations imposed by local government units in treating returning constituents have provided a major setback in the national government’s efforts to repatriate stranded and displaced overseas Filipino workers.

This complaint aired by officials of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration prompted the House Committee on Overseas Filipinos to call local executives to a virtual meeting that would attempt to resolve the issue.

OWWA officials disclosed that a number of LGUs have barred returning constituents despite the fact that they have tested negative for COVID-19.

National government agencies such as OWWA have claimed helplessness in reasoning out with LGU executives as the latter insist that they they have the authority to protect their localities from COVID-19 threat and are protected by the local autonomy provisions of the law.

Many LGUs are reportedly overcautious in granting clearances for the return of OFWs who are actually their constituents.

TUCP party-list Rep. Democrito Mendoza, chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Filipino Welfare, advised officials to seek President Duterte’s intercession on behalf of returning OFWs.

“We have to get around that problem. If the President can just speak to the political leadership of local government units, I think this will be resolved,” said Mendoza, who presided over a virtual meeting on the repatriation operations for the thousands of displaced and stranded OFWs.

In the meantime, Mendoza said the committee will attempt to resolve the controversy by inviting LGU executives to a virtual meeting.

Invitations will be sent to the heads of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and the League of Provinces of the Philippines. Presidents of League of Cities of the Philippines and League of Municipalities of the Philippines may also be asked to participate in the meeting.

Both the Department of Foreign Affairs and OWWA gave positive reports about the bid to repatriate OFWs from various parts of the world, especially those from the Middle East.

DFA Underscretary Sarah Lou Arriola said the processing of the return of 50,000 OFWs is expected this month.

On the other hand, Director Alice Visperas of the International Labor Affairs Bureau revealed that the total number of displaced Filipinos abroad has reached 341,701.

At least 70,533 have been repatriated while 21,107 are ready to go home.

There are at least 169,000 OFWs who are displaced temporarily or permanently who have not yet signified any intention to go home.

Of the number of OFWs abroad, at least 5,353 have tested positive for COVID-19, said Visperas. - by Ben Rosario

Labor groups urge government to provide service vehicles for workers during MECQ

Labor groups urged the government to provide service vehicles to ferry workers to their workplaces as some businesses will now be allowed to operate under the modified enhanced community quarantine.

The government can mobilize the fleet of cars sitting idle in various government agencies, departments, and government-owned and controlled corporations, said Associated Labor Unions (ALU) Executive Vice President Gerard Seno.

“We appeal to the chief executive to immediately mobilize all idle government-purchased service vehicles to shuttle daily-paid workers whose employers are unable to provide them with shuttle service due to economic difficulties brought by a sixty-day community quarantine lockdown,” said Seno in a statement.

To note, public transport is still not allowed in areas under the modified enhanced community quarantine.

“With government vehicles temporarily providing shuttle will help both the economically distressed businesses and incomeless workers who lost their sources of livelihood during the lockdown to slowly recover,” said Seno.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno said that workers should be provided with safe transportation as “returning to work in this epidemic is hazardous.”

“If the government and business want to resume operations, they should provide transportation for workers. Workers cannot be made to suffer from walking for hours over long distances. We want to work to contribute to economy, get the economy running again, and because there is no or very little aid coming to our families,” said KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis in a statement.

Adonis suggested to resume the operations of public transportation on areas under modified enhanced community quarantine, “provided with operational guidelines for safety and health.”

“Companies should provide transportation to workers, but public transportation is really key to enable workers [to] traverse major thoroughfares of Metro Manila. Aside from trains and buses, public utility jeepneys are also needed at least for collector roads,” he said. - By Analou De Vera

TUCP pushes postlockdown safety nets

File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) pushed more safety nets to protect workers from expected changes in labor practices and employment as the country prepares to exit its six-week lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The TUCP feared pay cuts, increased contractualization and “massive layoff of workers” as the country struggles to restart the economy after the scheduled end of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine on May 15.

“Some companies won’t be able to reopen post lockdown. They would be pressed to build up capital or resume operations. If they do reopen, they would run on a skeleton force,” TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

—Jovic Yee

Labor group seeks bigger fund for CAMP

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to pump in additional funds to the Covid-19 Adjustment Measure Program (CAMP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) that provides a one-time P5,000 cash assistance to private sector workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic.

“If it is true that the funds for CAMP have been depleted, topping that off with additional funds would be simpler and more logical for after all, MSMEs’ employees are the priority under CAMP,” TUCP said, referring to micro, small and medium enterprises.

It pointed out that hundreds of thousands of CAMP applications have been processed.

“The Department of Finance’s (DoF) wage subsidy which involves too many agencies — the DoF, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Social Security System (SSS) — and makes it complicated for small businesses and workers to qualify, will not address the urgency of the need to provide subsidy to the workers,” the group warned.

On April 16, the Labor department announced it would no longer accept applications for CAMP because the funds allotted for the program have been depleted.
It said that 264,154 workers benefited under CAMP.

As of April 12, 2020, the number of displaced formal sector workers nationwide had reached more than a million while affected workers in the informal sector needing assistance numbered close to quarter of a million.

The TUCP said that continuing with the CAMP program was more practical because of its simplified process.

“In fact the reason the CAMP application requirements were simplified was in recognition of the prevailing informality of work arrangement in MSMEs including the absence or non-updating of Social Security System records or remittances,” it said.

TUCP Vice President Luis Corral warned that SSS funds were considered private, held in trust by the government.

The use of SSS funds, which comes from the contributions of employees and employers, is set by law and its use is further subject to Board approval,” he said. - By William Depasupil, TMT

Govt urged to shell out more funds for workers than big biz after ECQ

Philstar file photo

Labor groups on Sunday said the government will have to shell out more funds to support workers, rather than big businesses, if it intends to allow limited resumption of the latter’s operations after the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

This as the government is already struggling to get more funding for its existing aid for workers, who were affected by the lockdown that halted activities mainly in the service sector.

A statement by the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), however, made it clear the government-backed labor organization is behind the labor department’s proposal to allow some businesses to resume operations.

But according to TUCP Spokesman Alan Tanjusay, employees who will still be barred going to work should receive government aid.

During the weekend, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it recommends 30 percent of the work force of a company be allowed to return to work once the ECQ is lifted May 1. The DOLE proposes an additional 20 percent of the total work force return to work by June and, by July, total employees that have returned to work should be 75 percent.

“With the regards to the remaining 70 percent who may be unable to work [in May], government will have to provide them another round of subsidy for the duration,” Tanjusay said.

Nearly spent
Last week, the labor department stopped accepting applications for its Covid-19 adjustment measures program, which is a one-time P5,000 cash aid program the government gives to workers during the lockdown. The DOLE said only 20 percent of the P1.6-billion budget for the program it calls “Camp” remains.

The labor department said prior to stopping the acceptance of application, 80 percent of the money, or about P1,320,770,000, has been given to an estimated 264,154 individuals. The DOLE said it is still awaiting approval of an additional P2.5 billion it requested from the Department of Budget and Management.

The labor department, however, said even with the additional funds, it couldn’t provide the cash-subsidy to more than a million workers who applied for Camp.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said they already endorsed the applications they could no longer accommodate to the Department of Finance (DOF) to be covered by its planned wage subsidy program for an estimated 3 million workers.

Bello said they will be pushing for a post-recovery plan that aims to stop the mass displacement of workers from establishments affected by the 45-day lockdown expected to be lifted before midnight of April 30.

Worker protection
Tanjusay said government must ensure the necessary occupational safety and health standards should be in place to ensure workers will be protected from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). He said workers should be given personal protective equipment (PPE) for free.

He added that Filipinos who will be required to go to work after the lockdown but placed under quarantine, get infected by the virus or die should get compensation from the government and their company.

Partido Manggagawa (PM) Chairman Renato Magtubo said this and other policies for ensuring worker protection should be contained in a new order from the labor department.

Without such stipulated safeguards, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) Secretary General Joshua Mata said workers will be putting their lives at risk when they go to work after the ECQ.

“Before DOLE talks about lifting the lockdown, they should first clarify how would workers be protected when they go back to work,” Mata said.

He added they intend to raise these issues during the meeting of labor groups with labor officials this week.

Business focused

RFM Corp. President and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria A. Concepcion III has been pushing for a selective quarantine in in Luzon to allow some businesses in Luzon to resume after the expected lifting of the ECQ next month.

However, members of the labor coalition Nagkaisa, which includes TUCP, PM, and Sentro, criticized the pronouncement saying the government still lacks the capacity to conduct Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the hundreds of citizens who are expected to return to work.

Nagkaisa members said workers should be made to undergo the lab-based test rather than the rapid-test kits, which they deemed a less reliable way of testing if a person is infected by Covid-19.

“Without this method of mass testing, the ‘Concepcion proposal’ can only be considered as safe for business but not for the workers,” Nagkaisa said.

It also slammed Albay Representative Jose Sarte Salceda’s proposal to allocate P350 billion to serve as “bailout package for big corporations.”

“Why bail out big business when they forever have access to local and international capital markets?” Nagkaisa said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases is expected to finalize this week the policies on the “new normal” in the aftermath of the ECQ. This may include which businesses will be allowed to resume after the lifting of lockdown measures. By Samuel P. Medenilla

Workers displaced by COVID may be 4 million

Alan Tanjusay, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines spokesman, said the Department of Labor and Employment could be under-reporting the number of COVID-affected workers. Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest labor group yesterday expressed belief that the actual number of displaced workers nationwide could be as high as four million.

Alan Tanjusay, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesman, said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) could be under-reporting the number of COVID-affected workers.

“While the DOLE reported about 1.2 million, in our estimates, the affected workers in Luzon are around 2.5 million to four million,” Tanjusay said.

He added that TUCP and other labor groups are already conducting surveys to determine the actual number of displaced workers and whether they were provided financial assistance by DOLE or the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Tanjusay pointed out that the high number of displaced workers is expected because the lockdown affected almost all job generating sectors in the country.


“What we are surprised at is the apparent attempt by DOLE and other government agencies to make the number of displaced workers appear at a minimum despite a Luzon-wide lockdown,” he said.

He also said DOLE lacks the rigor and urgency to provide safety nets for affected workers. Aside from this, DOLE is not given much latitude in the inter-agency task force, he added.

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) claimed that DOLE is downplaying the number of affected workers to justify the big gap in the distribution of cash aid.

It doubted the agency’s report that indicated only 3.57 percent of 28 million workers employed in the formal sector were affected by the lockdown.

“The number merely represents a small fraction of the wage and salaried workers in the country and therefore can be interpreted as ‘insignificant’ as far as the lockdown impact is concerned,” PM said.

“Obviously that is not what we’re seeing at ground level as most of our workers, except state employees and those in few large corporations who are still under payroll, are employed in less protected and monitored micro enterprises,” the group said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 12,970 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated amid the COVID-19 pandemic as 822 seafarers arrived from the US and Barbados yesterday.

The Filipino crew of MS Norwegian Epic, MS Marina and MS Norwegian Spirit arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on two separate chartered flights and went through the mandatory quarantine inspection and briefing conducted by the Department of Health-Bureau of Quarantine (DOH-BOQ).

Those of Norwegian Epic and Marina will undergo a 14-day facility-based quarantine while those of Norwegian Spirit will undergo home quarantine, the DFA said.

Since April 1, the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) for Norwegian Epic and Spirit and Oceania Cruises for Marina spent for the repatriation of over 3,670 of its Filipino seafarers all over the world while Oceania Cruises took care of repatriating 189 Filipino seafarers, with assistance from DFA. – Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star ) With Pia Lee-Brago

Labor groups laud companies for advancing salaries, 13th month pay amid quarantine

Labor groups and employees have expressed their appreciation to some companies for advancing their salaries and 13th month pay amid the coronavirus crisis.

Employees of fast-food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) praised the company after it disbursed at least P1 billion to cover one month of salary and 13th month pay to workers affected by the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine against COVID-19.

Citing an internal memorandum sent to all employees by JFC CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong, Kilusan sa Jollibee Foods Corporation-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (KILUSAN-JFC-TUCP) said the company’s management is paying the one month wages covering the March 15 to April 14 quarantine period together with the 13th month pay, which is usually disbursed on December this year “to help employees cope with the crisis during the one month period that they are restricted to travel to work.”

"We were very surprised to receive such memorandum from our boss. We were already at a very low morale due to the uncertainty of a one-month suspension of work when the news showed up at our email inbox. This will definitely free us from such anxiety and would enable us to tide things over. Thank you Jollibee, " said Arthur Juego, president of KILUSAN-TUCP.

For his part, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) president Raymond Mendoza said "the move will create a race to the top momentum and raise the reputation of the Jollibee brand to customers and compel other enterprises to do the same good company deed in the light of looming economic adversity for workers."

Meanwhile, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) commended the country's largest mall operator SM Supermalls and its competitor Robinsons for waiving the rental fees of mall tenants from March 16 to April 14 to enable these micro- and small enterprises pay in advance the salaries and thirteenth month pay of their employees.

The labor group also lauded business tycoon Manny Pangilinan for releasing in advance the 13th month pay of PLDT, Smart and Meralco employees.

Other companies who advanced the salary and thirteenth month pay of their employees are the Aboitiz Group of Companies, Asian Terminal/ Solaire Resort Hotel, JG Summit and Gokongwei Group of Companies, the Lucio Tan Group pf Companies, and the SMC Group of Comapnies.

"These positive management decisions raises workers loyalty by improving the quality of production and better customer service. The gesture promotes unity and reinforces Filipino bayanihan during these distressful times for workers and families. We urge other companies, big or small, to do the same, to help the workers and their families during these times," Gerard Seno, executive vice president of ALU, said.

With their salaries and benefits assured, workers will comply with the mandatory home quarantine policy and minimize the spread of COVID19 in communities, Seno said. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA News

Labor groups calls for national action plan vs. COVID-19

PREVENTIVE MEASURES. Employees and visitors of the Manila City Hall wait for their temperature to be checked on March 9, 2020, as part of the city's precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus. Photo by Ben Nabong/Rappler

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has called for a national action plan in winning the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a statement, TUCP vice president Luis Corral said the national action plan should involve a massive information drive and interventions in communities and workplaces to prevent community-to-community transmission.

TUCP also called on the labor department to immediately convene all national and regional industry tripartite councils (ITCs) to do rapid impact assessments, identify risks, design and implement industry specific COVID-19 mitigation and prevention measures to save lives and jobs.

The group said the ITC is composed of employers and the workers from the industry and they know what the actual situation on the ground is.

They added that COVID-19 should not be used as a convenient excuse to justify lay-offs or closures.

“At this time, social dialogue, social partnership, and cooperation between employers and workers is the key in saving jobs through various measures like telecommuting, working from home, flexible work arrangements, or job rotations if necessary,” Corral said.

“The industry should design self-quarantine for workers with symptoms without job displacement. Workers on self-quarantine should be covered by the Employee’s Compensation Commission (ECC) or SSS for wage protection. After all, the worker did not choose to be infected,” he added.

For workers-at-risk who are in the frontline like retail, such as fast-food chains workers who must deal with the public, TUCP said it is imperative that their employers provide them free-of-charge personal protective equipment, surgical masks, alcohol-based hand rubs, and access to washbasins and soap.

“This should be true for emergency responders, healthcare workers, tourism, travel and personal services workers, border security, airport and immigration services workers, teachers, prison guards and cleaners, and those declared as ‘essential personnel,’ by their respective offices,” Corral said.

TUCP said all employers should sanitize all surfaces in their company premises, provide facemasks and alcohol hand rubs as well as soap and hand washing facilities for their workers.

During this emergency, the group also appealed for urgent support from both the national and local governments, particularly for those who cannot go to work or are forced to stay at home.

“This is especially true for those in ‘no work, no pay’ arrangements. They are in real danger of losing their wages, thereby imperiling their lives and that of their families. Without money, they are at the mercy of COVID-19 and poverty,” Corral said.

“TUCP therefore calls for the realignment of the TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) program of the DOLE to be allocated to address the needs of these workers,” he added. - By Leslie Ann Aquino

DOLE issues guidelines for employers amid coronavirus outbreak

The Department of Labor and Employment says employers can implement flexible working hours to avoid terminating employees or closing establishments

FLEXIBLE WORK. Metro Manila commuters wear face mask as protection from the coronavirus on February 3, 2020. Photo by Jire Carreon/Rappler 

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday, March 4, issued guidelines that employers should follow when implementing flexible working hours in response to the ongoing 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

“The objective (of flexible working hours) is to help both employer and employees to get over the hump (caused by the coronavirus),” DOLE Undersecretary Ana Dione told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday.

DOLE said implementing flexible working hours was among the measures taken by the department to avoid “outright termination of employees” or “total closure” of establishments. (READ: A mess': Coronavirus economic impact on Philippines worse than projected)

According to Dione, implementing flexible working arrangements will not be mandatory for employers, who will have full say on whether or not to take such measures.

“The effectivity and implementation of any of the flexible work arrangements shall be temporary in nature, subject to the prevailing conditions of the company,” DOLE said.

Why this matters. Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) earlier estimated some 7,000 layoffs and retrenchments could take place in the next 6 months amid the growing coronavirus outbreak crisis.

TUCP made the forecast after Philippine Airlines terminated 300 employees, citing losses incurred because of canceled flights due to coronavirus travel bans, which have severely impacted businesses. The group said other industries may follow suit and lay off non-essential workers.

Aside from flexible working arrangements, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said the department will also require regional and overseas labor offices to submit daily reports on workers displaced by the coronavirus outbreak. He likewise gave assurances affected workers will be provided livelihood and financial assistance.

LOOK: DOLE issues guidelines for employers implementing flexible working arrangements due to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/NGjKY9vHLA
— Sofia Tomacruz (@sofiatomacruz) March 4, 2020

What employers need to know. DOLE Department Advisory No. 1 series of 2020, issued on Wednesday, listed the following arrangements employers may consider:

Reduction of work hours and/or work days: Normal work hours or work days per week are reduced
Reduction of workers: Employees are rotated or alternately provided work within the week
Forced leave: Employees are required to go on leave for several days or weeks using leave credits

Meanwhile, DOLE urged employers and employees to discuss other possible alternative work arrangements to ease the effects of loss of income on employees.

Employers and employees will be responsible for administering and supervising flexible work arrangements should they opt to implement it, DOLE added.

If employers and employees disagree on the interpretation of the arrangements, DOLE said differences can be tackled under the company’s grievance system.

In cases where no system for dealing with grievances is in place, regional labor offices where workplaces are registered will have jurisdiction over conciliatory talks.

DOLE said employers who will implement flexible working arrangements must ensure documents are kept on record as proof the measure was adopted. Employers will also need to inform regional or provincial labor offices if flexible work arrangements are adopted. – Sofia Tomacruz Rappler.com

Workers’ groups urge gov’t, airlines to implement safety protocols for airport, seaport workers to curb coronavirus risk

As government authorities step up bio-security efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) has called on the government and airline industry players to ensure that safety and health protection protocols are working not just for passengers but also for cabin crew and airport employees.

The country’s biggest federation of unions said this is because these workers are the first line of defense against the spread of the transmittable coronavirus.

“One of the most difficult parts of the job for cabin crew in ensuring an orderly, safe, and healthy flight throughout the duration of the journey, for example, is to deal with difficult or unruly infected passengers,” ALU National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno said in a statement.

“To help workers perform under pressure, guarantees of enhanced protection from risk of exposure for these workers must be in place.”

Seno said there is also a need to make sure that workers have employment social protection insurance coverage and that emergency health facilities are provided considering the risks they face in performing their jobs.

The group also lauded the airlines for immediately issuing memoranda allowing cabin crew to wear company-provided protective face masks at the onset of the outbreak as primary protection against the risk of exposure to the virus, particularly on flights to and from at-risk destinations.

“We commend them for doing the right thing. These are measures that enhances the employees’ confidence and boosts their morale in doing their jobs under these unusual working days,” Seno said.

Meanwhile, Trade Union Congress of the Philipines (TUCP) President and TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza said government measures to minimize exposure to the virus should not only cover passengers but also airport and seaport personnel, including those manning immigration counters.

He proposed that passengers coming from cities that have been infected by the virus have a separate arrival passageway, and that arriving aircraft be directed to a separate landing area for possible fumigation. - By Leslie Ann Aquino

TUCP slams Kuwait’s fake autopsy report on OFW’s death

File photo / Manila Bulletin

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) strongly condemned the ‘fake’ autopsy report submitted by the Kuwaiti government after the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) autopsy report showed that slain domestic helper Jeanelyn Villavende was raped and brutally murdered.

In a statement, the TUCP said that the attempt to whitewash the brutal murder of Villavende through the autopsy report submitted to the government’s Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) became apparent after NBI found out that her death is not merely due to physical injuries as indicated in the Kuwaiti official autopsy report but due to grave injuries and brutal sexual abuse.

“We strongly condemn this so-called fake autopsy report submitted by the Kuwaiti to the Philippine government. This is completely a willful dishonest attempt of the Kuwaiti government to cover up the heinous crime committed by the Kuwaiti national principal suspects and whitewash the gruesome act of inhumanity,” TUCP President Raymond Mendoza said.

“The Filipino people and the overseas Filipino workers in particularly are demanding the Philippine government to make a strong response and condemn this unacceptable act of bad faith on the part of the Kuwaiti government,” Mendoza said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives’ Committee on Overseas Foreign Workers Affairs wants investigate the circumstances that led to Jeanelyn’s death and how these can help improve the current policy of the government and strengthen the government processes and mechanisms in providing care and assistance to OFWs particularly who are in distressed.

Mendoza said the congressional probe will also look into the discrepancies in the alleged employment contract of Jeanelyn with her Kuwaiti employer and the memorandum of agreement on the employment of domestic workers between Kuwait and Philippine governments.

The committee will also look into the desire of OFWs in the region for redeployment or relocation rather than repatriation in case the government raises coverage of Alert level 4 to cover other countries in the Middle East. Under Alert level 4, the government is directed mandatory evacuation of Filipinos plan in the light of the rising tension in the region.

“The special meeting will seek the facts around Jeanelyn’s death, how we can improve the implementation of government to government employment agreement and a binding employment contract of OFWs particularly those of Household Service Workers who are the most vulnerable of all OFWs,” Mendoza said. - Vito Barcelo

Penalize companies ignoring advisory on health, safety issues

File photo

The Gabriela Women’s Partylist on Monday urged government to penalize private companies, particularly business processing outsource firms, for putting in danger the health and safety of their employees by requiring them to report for work yesterday.

This developed as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines urged private firm employers to provide their workers with pay, even if they are unable to come in to work because of the ashfall from Taal Volcano.

TUCP president and Rep.. Raymond Democrito Mendoza asked for compassion for workers who will have to face the effects of the possible eruption of Taal.

Represented in the Lower House by Rep. Arlene Brosas, the partylist organization assailed BPOs who required their workers to report for work despite the high alert levels raised by government in connection with the Taal volcanic eruption.

Gabriela said BPO’s have ignored government warnings and advise over the dangers of the volcanic activity.

“We have received information that employees of most BPO firms located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna which is about 20 kilometers from Taal, were still required to report to work despite the high alert level raised over the Taal volcano,” said Gabriela in a press statement.

The group said government should enforce the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law and “penalize companies who have violated the safety standards by putting workers’ lives at risk.

The organization added: “We would like to remind BPO firms, as well as all businesses in the country that this is an occupational safety and health issue.”

Cited was Section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Law or RA11058 that workers have the right not to report to work , “without threat or reprisal from the employer if, as determined by the DOLE, an imminent danger situation exists in the workplace that may result in illness, injury or death.”

“BPO firms that fail to comply with OSH standards must be held liable for non-compliance with the safety of the workers, especially in life-threatening disasters, the partylist group stated.

Meanwhile, Mendoza called on the private sector to temporarily ignore their “no work, no pay” policy in this time of emergency.

“How will our workers be able to protect themselves and their families if the No Work, No Pay scheme is retained? It is impossible for some to make it through the roads to reach their places of work,” Mendoza said. - By Ben Rosario

Labor group presses for total HSW ban on Kuwait

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines president Raymond Mendoza said the Philippine government should impose a total deployment ban for the protection of Filipino HSWs.

Edd Gumban

MANILA, Philippines — As the remains of slain Filipina domestic helper Jeanelyn Villavende return home today, the country’s largest labor group has pressed the government for a total ban on the deployment of Filipino household service workers (HSWs) to Kuwait.

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) president Raymond Mendoza said the Philippine government should impose a total deployment ban for the protection of Filipino HSWs.

“We should stop the deployment of the most vulnerable sector, we should just develop local jobs so our workers won’t be forced to seek employment overseas,” Mendoza stressed.

Mendoza noted that 200 Filipino workers have died in Kuwait in the last four years, including Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found stuffed inside a freezer in 2018.

“Currently, there are 280 runaway Filipina workers staying in the embassy shelter in Kuwait,” Mendoza further disclosed.

Louie Corral, TUCP president, said there are also 30 unresolved cases in Kuwait of Filipina workers who allegedly committed suicide or died of unknown causes.

Following Villavende’s death, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III ordered a partial ban on deployment of HSWs to Kuwait.

Bello said the government would only lift the partial deployment ban if the Kuwaiti government can fully serve justice for the death of Villavende. Based on initial investigation, Villavende was maltreated by her employers and was beaten to death. Her employers are now detained.

A certificate of embalmment from Kuwait showed that she died due to heart and respiratory failure brought by multiple injuries of the vascular system, Bello bared.

Villavende’s body, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is set to arrive from Kuwait at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 4:30 p.m. today and would immediately be flown to her home in General Santos.

Bello said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is extending airport and other necessary assistance to Villavende’s bereaved family.

The labor chief said he asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an autopsy on Villavende’s remains to validate the findings from Kuwait.

The family of the Filipina worker met Bello at his office yesterday afternoon. Bello said the Philippine government is giving the Kuwaiti government time to file an appropriate case against the employers of Villavende.

Corral said the filing of charges would not bring back Villavende, but the government can still protect other HSWs by imposing a total deployment ban to Kuwait.

For its part, the Blas Ople Policy Center said the government should look into the failure of some recruitment agencies to monitor the workers they have deployed abroad.

It noted that there are numerous welfare cases involving Filipino HSWs in Kuwait. There are 257,000 Filipinos employed in Kuwait. Of the number, more than half or 59 percent are HSWs. - Robertzon Ramirez, Rudy Santos, Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)

PH eyes forced repatriation

Duterte wants military on stand-by amid ‘evolving crisis’ in Middle East

AFP file photo

The government would consider forced repatriation of some 7,600 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq should condition there endanger their lives, the Palace said Monday as the President urged Congress to allocate funds for a massive Middle East evacuation.

“If the conflict poses a risk to their safety, then the government will do it,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

President Rodrigo Duterte this week ordered the military to prepare to evacuate some 7,600 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq amid increasing tensions in the Middle East after a US airstrike killed Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, last week.

The military was put on standby in case the repatriation of Filipinos from Iran using Philippine air and naval assets becomes necessary.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the military is prepared to execute the President’s directives, calling it an “important and crucial task.”

“It is more than a transport sortie. It is a humanitarian mission dedicated to take from harms way our fellow Filipinos and bring them to safety,” AFP spokesman Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

The tension between the United States and Iran is expected to drive oil prices up, and the country’s economic managers are preparing measures to cushion the impact, Panelo said.

In a speech Monday, Duterte said he is expecting Iran to “retaliate soon” and act aggressively against the US after an American airstrike killed their top general.

“If that happens, then we have a trouble because most of our OFWs are stationed, majority of them are in Saudi Arabia. I am not as bright as the others, those with strategic minds might want to do it for us. Let’s start with a standby fund,” Duterte said following the signing of the 2020 budget.

Duterte, who previously ordered the military to prepare its resources for the evacuation of Filipinos, said the task would be “a gargantuan effort.”

He also appealed to Congress to set aside a day or two to discuss the effects of the US-Iran conflict, which he called an “evolving crisis.”

The President also raised the possibility of creating an oversight committee to ensure the funds on standby will not be used for corruption.

“I’m really nervous. Iran seems to be hell-bent on a retaliation, which I think will come. It’s a matter of time,” he said.

“We do not know what could be the end result of this crisis. It could lead to a protracted war. It could be a wide-scale strike. Whatever it is, we Filipinos are really in peril,” Duterte added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority says there are about 1.26 million Filipino workers in the Middle East, which includes Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the President has tasked the AFP to prepare its air and naval assets to evacuate Filipinos if war erupts in the Middle East.

He said this order came after the Chief Executive called for an emergency meeting with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, newly-appointed AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos, Jr., commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Philippine National Police chief, and their principal staff on Sunday afternoon.

The meeting, he said, was conducted to ensure the safety of Filipinos working in the Middle East especially those deployed in Iran and Iraq, whose well-being could be endangered in the event of open hostilities.

“The sole agenda was how to ensure the safety of our countrymen in the Middle East especially those in Iraq and Iran as the tension between the US and Iran rises. There are 1,600 and 6,000 Filipinos in Iran and Iraq, respectively,” Andolong said.

Santos said the AFP is ready with a plan to evacuate Filipinos if the need arises.

“Right now, we are ready to deploy anytime,,” Santos said at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Filipinos in Israel to refrain from going to the Golan Heights and areas near the borders of Gaza and Lebanon due to the heightening tension between the US and Iran.

In an advisory, the DFA through the Philippine Embassy in Israel declared in particular the snow resort in Mt. Hermon in the Golan Heights, which borders Syria, as a no-go zone for Filipinos there.

Mt. Hermon was the target of a rocket attack fired from Syria in January last year.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, meanwhile, said the government should look at relocating instead of repatriating thousands of Filipino workers in the Middle East.

In a statement, the TUCP said the “scarce job opportunities, domestic jobs-skills mismatch, and the labor market’s inadequate compensation and unattractive work benefits are the main reasons why most OFWs in the Middle East prefer to relocate than be repatriated back to the country in case of evacuation due to rising armed conflict in the region.

“Most of the OFWs groups stationed in Jordan and Qatar prefer to relocate to another country in the region than be repatriated back to home country in case there is a need for them to be evacuated,” TUCP Spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said. by MJ Blancaflor and Rey E. Requejo With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and PNA