TUCP: Lockdown must come with labor guidelines

Workers are restive over the lack of guidelines on company lockdowns and paid quarantine periods amid the spread of coronavirus disease COVID-19, according to the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

“Widespread uncertainty is brewing among the daily paid workforce across industries over the lack of company guidelines and deficient policy in the event government imposes mandatory workplace lockdown and occurrence of work-related contamination in the light of growing [COVID-19] epidemic,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said in a statement.

Workers are currently bound by the “no work, no pay” rule.

“Rank-and-file employees wonder why their employers delay or ignore discussions about workplace policy toward a likely lockdown,” Mendoza said.

He said workers were also restive over their management’s silence on whether those who are sickened and must undergo a 14-day quarantine would be paid and would receive remuneration for their medical and hospitalization expenses.

“The Dole must step in and not allow dissension to swell among the ranks. They must push the employees and employers to formulate viable and acceptable mechanics unique to their industry and line of business in keeping productivity competitive without diminution of wages and benefits on the part of workers,” Mendoza said.

Four-day workweek

The Dole itself has taken precautions to prevent the spread of the virus by implementing a four-day workweek nationwide in all its bureaus, regional offices and attached agencies.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Administrative Order No. 99-2020, which he issued on Wednesday, was pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 922 declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country.

The new workweek will be from Monday to Thursday. Dole employees will work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Employees must work 10 hours a day, exclusive of the 12 noon-1 p.m. meal time, although they may start work anytime from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Employees who report for work after 8 a.m. will be considered tardy and those who do not complete 10 hours of work will be considered undertime. Off-setting of tardiness or undertime will not be allowed. —REPORT FROM TINA G. SANTOS