The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Monday said workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine implemented in NCR Plus areas would get cash and emergency employment program, according to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“Mayroon kaming ipinalabas kanina na mga direktiba para aming mga labor standard inspectors na mag-conduct ng intensified inspection sa lahat ng business establishments, mga work places, sabay-sabay sila iinpeksyunin at find out and determine if they are compliant with all labor law and health standards and protocols,” said Bello.
“Marami sa ating mga kababayan, workers, mga empleyado na maaaring hindi makapasok sa trabaho dahil dito, alam mo naman yung policy, no work-no pay,” he said.
“Handa naman nag Department of Labor na kahit papano ay makapagbigay tayo ng tulong,” he added.
This includes P5,000 cash assistance under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and employment under the Employment Assistance to Our Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD).
DOLE to give aid to workers affected by ECQ
Bello urged employers to submit to DOLE a list of employees severely affected by the ECQ. Bello assured that the provision of funds to be distributed to employees will be expedited.
Those who will be given jobs under the TUPAD program will be trained as contact tracers. Bello also allegedly suggested to the DILG that they be assigned to various local governments.
“Kailangang-kailangan natin ng contact tracers, and we volunteered to the Department of (Interior and) Local Government na yung ating mga benepisyaryo sa ating emergency employment program ay gamitin nila as contact tracers,” said Bello.
Bello also ensured that there was sufficient funding for the program. Under Bayanihan 2, P4 billion is set aside for CAMP while P4 billion is set aside for TUPAD.
There is also P2 billion in funds for stranded OFWs under AKAP.
Meanwhile, the DOLE will continue to inspect business establishments nationwide to ensure that they comply with labor laws and health and safety protocols.
The unemployment rate in January 2021 remained the same as the October 2020 rate of 8.7 percent. This is the lowest since April 2020 but higher than the January 2020 rate of 5.3 percent.