Villanueva lauds DOLE for helping 'no work, no pay' workers
Published Mar 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senator Joel Villanueva has lauded the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for acting on appeals for aid for "no work, no pay" private sector workers amid the government measures imposed to contain the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Sen. Joel Villanueva
(Senate of the Philippines Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) The DOLE on Tuesday announced that workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon will receive a P5,000 one-time cash assistance in lump sum through its COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP). The CAMP seeks to mitigate the economic impacts and loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers workers in private establishments that have adopted flexible work arrangements, such as reduction of work hours, rotation or forced leaves, or have temporarily closed because of the disease. Villanueva said the P5,000 "will go a long way" for workers, especially those who work under the "no work, no pay" principle. He said this will also help keep them confined in their homes during the month-long quarantine. "We credit the labor department for its swift response to the issue. Our workers continue to push their luck by leaving their houses to go to work because they have to provide for their families," the chair of the Senate Labor Committee said Tuesday. With the cash aid, Villanueva appealed to workers to stay in their homes and heed the government's efforts against the COVID-19. "Mas malaki po ang gagastusin natin kapag nahawaan tayo ng sakit na COVID-19 (Because we will have to spend more if we are infected with the COVID-19)," he said. Villanueva said he hopes the DOLE would also consider his appeal to expedite the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD) to further cushion the impact of the quarantine among workers. On Monday, March 16, the senator wrote to DOLE to tap its emergency employment programs amid the public health crisis. He suggested to let affected workers provide support services to law enforcers manning checkpoints “as long as TUPAD beneficiaries are provided personal protective equipment and training.” He also welcomed the DOLE's plan to let TUPAD beneficiaries help in the disinfection of public places.
Sen. Joel Villanueva(Senate of the Philippines Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) The DOLE on Tuesday announced that workers affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon will receive a P5,000 one-time cash assistance in lump sum through its COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP). The CAMP seeks to mitigate the economic impacts and loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers workers in private establishments that have adopted flexible work arrangements, such as reduction of work hours, rotation or forced leaves, or have temporarily closed because of the disease. Villanueva said the P5,000 "will go a long way" for workers, especially those who work under the "no work, no pay" principle. He said this will also help keep them confined in their homes during the month-long quarantine. "We credit the labor department for its swift response to the issue. Our workers continue to push their luck by leaving their houses to go to work because they have to provide for their families," the chair of the Senate Labor Committee said Tuesday. With the cash aid, Villanueva appealed to workers to stay in their homes and heed the government's efforts against the COVID-19. "Mas malaki po ang gagastusin natin kapag nahawaan tayo ng sakit na COVID-19 (Because we will have to spend more if we are infected with the COVID-19)," he said. Villanueva said he hopes the DOLE would also consider his appeal to expedite the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program (TUPAD) to further cushion the impact of the quarantine among workers. On Monday, March 16, the senator wrote to DOLE to tap its emergency employment programs amid the public health crisis. He suggested to let affected workers provide support services to law enforcers manning checkpoints “as long as TUPAD beneficiaries are provided personal protective equipment and training.” He also welcomed the DOLE's plan to let TUPAD beneficiaries help in the disinfection of public places.