Senator Leila de Lima is now seeking passage of a measure mandating a 10-day paid leaves for all eligible employees who contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In filing Senate Bill No. 2148, De Lima proposed granting a 10-working day paid leaves of absence for public and private employees who are infected by the virus and thus, are required to undergo quarantine. Similar paid leaves will also be granted workers who, because of the nature of their work or activity, cannot avail of telecommuting program or a work from home scheme.

“Filipinos valiantly choose to work, to provide for their families and to save the economy, despite the danger this pandemic poses,” De Lima said in a statement.

“Thus, it is only right that these employees be provided with the incentive of having paid leaves when they are confirmed to be COVID-19 positive and they need to undergo quarantine or isolation,” added the senator who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice, Welfare and Rural Development.

The senator also said granting the 10-day pandemic leave for employees would not only protect workers’ welfare and their families but also ensure occupational safety and health in workplaces and avoid further spread of the virus in the workplace.

“With the colossal and detrimental effects of the pandemic, employees are forced to stay in a job that is low paying despite health hazards due to the virus and consequences of contractualization,” she said.

“Those who are gainfully employed, while fortunate, struggle to do their jobs by personally reporting to their workplace despite risk of acquiring the virus on the way to and from work and even in the workplace itself,” explained the senator.

Under the bill, an employee who applies for the paid pandemic leave must submit the necessary medical records and other proof of eligibility to the employer for immediate action.

The bill also provides for the immediate availment of the paid “pandemic” leaves once an employee is confirmed to be COVID-19 positive.

The Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) shall be tasked to reimburse the employer for the payment of its employees’ paid leaves, according to the bill.

Also under the proposed law, employer/s who refuse to grant the paid pandemic leave shall be punished by a fine of not less than ₱20,000.00 but not more than ₱200,000.00; and if the act or omission was committed by an association, partnership, corporation or any other institution, its managing head, directors or partners shall be held liable to the penalties provided by this Act.