DOLE: Allow leaves for employees taking kids to gov’t vaccine program

MANILA, Philippines — The labor bureau on Saturday encouraged private sector businesses to allow employees accompanying their children in the nationwide Measles-Rubella and Bivalent-Oral Polio Vaccine activity to be excused from work.

In a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Advisory No. 04, Series of 2024, it said that “private sector employers, particularly those with employees who have children aged 6-59 months, are highly encouraged to allow their employees to be excused from work when they accompany their children on scheduled vaccination or when they must take care of their children who will experience adverse effects or reactions to the vaccine.”

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The advisory was issued by Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma in support of the government’s nationwide immunization activity from April 1 to 15.

“Upon resumption of work, the concerned employee shall present proof of vaccination and may likewise be allowed to utilize their available leave credits during the immunization activity subject to company policy or collective bargaining agreement granting the same,” it read.

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DOLE also advised employers to coordinate with the health department of local government units on the scheduled immunization to ensure the availability of the vaccines.

It added that those with institutionalized immunization programs were encouraged to conduct the immunization activity in the establishment with the assistance of their occupational safety and health committee.