Central Luzon wage board plea: Help for workers hurt by COVID-19 economic impact

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Central Luzon has passed a resolution urging employers and labor unions to help workers who are suffering from the economic impact of the novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) pandemic.

The wage board did not say how workers in the region have been actually displaced or financially hurt by the pandemic since March.

Resolution No. 4 also thanked employers and labor unions that have aided workers.

In a statement, Ma. Zenaida Campita, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment and chair of the wage board, said employers and labor groups “may continue to negotiate voluntarily for provision of temporary shelter or shuttle service of employees and continue observing health and safety protocols.”

She added: “While companies incur expenses for buying [personal protective equipment and] reconfiguring workplaces and observing safety protocols, labor unions may also extend financial assistance or any kind of program to employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The wage board, consisting of regional directors of the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry as well as labor and employers groups, said “improved social protection” is a component of the Central Luzon Regional Recovery Program.

TSB