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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOLE 'willing to help' companies comply with COVID-19 workplace protocols

DOLE 'willing to help' companies comply with COVID-19 workplace protocols

Published Aug 27, 2020 05:16 pm

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) on Thursday said it is willing to help companies comply with the existing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in the workplace.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

"Our priority is to help and support companies in being able to comply because we know there are companies that are having difficulties complying," DoLE Assistant Secretary Teresita Cucueco said during the Laging Handa press briefing Thursday.

"We can provide technical assistance to everyone as long as there is proper coordination between the government and the private sector. We will do that so that they can comply," she added.

Earlier this month, the DoLE and the Department of Trade and Industry released a Joint Memorandum Circular or the Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19.

According to the JMC, the supplemental guidelines were issued to further ensure the safety and health of employees in the private sector.

Based on the guidelines, sick leave benefits, medical insurance coverage, including supplemental pay allowance, for COVID 19 RT-PCR test-confirmed employees or close contacts made to undergo a 14-day quarantine, must also be provided to workers.

The DOLE and DTI also mandate the wearing of face masks and face shields, providing disinfection materials and supplies in strategic areas in workplaces, including company shuttle services among others.

Cucueco, however, warned companies that there are penalties provided under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law for those who will willfully violate the COVID-19 safety protocols.

"If they will still willfully violate, it has a corresponding penalty as provided under Republic Act 11058 or the OSH Law," she said.

"Because this is safety and health, we have this law providing the penalty against a company that willfully violates the law," Cucueco added.

Under the OSH Law, an administrative fine not exceeding P100,000 per day shall be imposed until the violation has been corrected.

Cucueco said their labor inspectors are visiting workplaces, interviewing employees, and are using the guidelines as checklist for compliance.

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