Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, March 17, renewed her push for
the passage of the bill that would ensure that workers in the private
and public sector are able to access life and health insurance
benefits especially amid the increasing number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
Hontiveros, who is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1441 or
the proposed “Balik Trabahong Ligtas" Act, said there was a necessity
for the government to fast track essential measures that would protect
workers’ health and well-being especially with the rising coronavirus
cases in work spaces.
“Our workers deserve better working conditions, full coverage and
protection against today’s risks especially that their workplaces are
fast becoming ‘hotspots’,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
The senator’s call came after the Quezon City local government confirmed
that the surge in COVID-19 infections was also coming from the
workplace. A group of healthcare workers has also called on companies
to decongest workplaces and encourage work from home arrangements to
contain infection surges.
She said it was imperative that safety nets be put in place for
workers as they regularly expose themselves to higher risk of infection.
Once the measure is enacted into law, Hontiveros said workers would be
provided “flexible sick leave” that they can avail of on top of their
existing 15-day statutory sick leave credits.
This is presuming they have been infected while at work, or if they
have to go on leave in compliance with COVID-19 occupational safety
guidelines of the government.
The bill also proposes that companies co-finance the PhilHealth
premium of non-regular workers —including contractual, contract of
service, probationary, and job order employees — who cannot opt to
work from home.
“Going to work and becoming sick creates financial risks for our
workers, they need to know that we have them and their families
covered,” the lawmaker stressed.
She said it is necessary that workers are well-equipped so that they
would be able to get back up when they are hit by the virus as well as
when they go out to work in the very near future in the re-opened
economy.
Hontiveros said she hopes that the Senate would be able to deliberate
and approve the measure as soon as possible. The bill is currently
pending before the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human
Resources.
“I’m very hopeful that the Senate committee would be able to
deliberate the measure immediately. Ordinary workers need to be
protected especially during this time of the pandemic,” she said.