By Analou De Vera The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded employers that they should pay the COVID-19 testing of their employees. This is if they are requiring their staff to undergo such screening before allowing them to return to work.  Department of Labor and Employment (PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN) “If they will require their employee to be tested before they will get to report to work, they have to shoulder the expense for the testing,” said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III in a press briefing. To note, the DOLE said that COVID-19 testing is not required before workers can return to work, following the Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19 issued last April 30. Meanwhile, Bello encouraged workers to have a dialogue with their employers on how they can work together amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Kung meron mga arrangements na mapagaan konti ang kalagayan employers, dapat pag-usapan ,” said the Labor chief. “Makipag-usap ang ating mga workers with the employers para sa ganoon mapapagaan ang kalagayan ng mga employers and in the process mapapatuloy ang operation nila ,” he added. Workers should also understand the plight of their employers amid this health crisis, said Bello. “Sa panahong ito na may konting kahirapan ang negosyo, ay intindihin nila ang kalagayan ng ating mga employers ,” he said.