DOLE favors ‘gradual’ return of employees to work

The Department of Labor and Employment is considering requiring companies to have only 30 percent of their employees report for work after April 30, so that the workplace could adjust to the new normal.

Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione said the number should increase on a gradual basis to give some space for companies to adjust to new practices meant to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thinking it should not be an abrupt report to work for all the workers,” Dione said on Friday.

“We are thinking a gradual [return], about 30 percent and then after one month, 50 percent, and then 75 percent,” she said.

“The reason being [is that] I think the companies will really have to adjust, taking into consideration the occupational safety and health of workers, and also social distancing,” she added.

This is under the assumption that the extended quarantine would end on April 30.

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