Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, March 17 renewed her push for the passage of the bill that would ensure that workers in the private and public sector are able to access life and health insurance benefits  amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

Hontiveros, who is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 1441 or the proposed “Balik Trabahong Ligtas’ Act, said there is a necessity for the government to fast track essential measures that would protect workers’ health and well-being especially with the rising coronavirus cases in work spaces.

“Our workers deserve better working conditions, full coverage and protection against today’s risks especially that their workplaces are fast becoming ‘hotspots’,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

The senator’s call came after Quezon City local government confirmed that the surge in COVID-19 infections was also emanating from the workplace.

A group of healthcare workers has also called on companies to decongest workplaces and encourage work from home arrangements to contain infection surges.

She said it is imperative that safety nets are put in place for workers as they expose themselves to higher risk of infection.

Once the measure is enacted into law, Hontiveros said workers would be provided “flexible sick leave” that they can avail of on top of their existing 15-day statutory sick leave credits.

This is presuming they have been infected while at work or if they have to go on leave in compliance with COVID-19 occupational safety guidelines of the government.

The bill also proposes that companies co-finance the PhilHealth premium of non-regular workers —including contractual, contract of service, probationary, and job order employees — who cannot opt to work from home.

“Going to work and becoming sick creates financial risks for our workers, they need to know that we have them and their families covered,” the lawmaker stressed.

She said it is necessary that workers are well-equipped so that they would be able to get back up when they are hit by the virus as well as when they go out to work in the very near future in the re-opened economy.

Hontiveros hopes the Senate would be able to deliberate and approve the measure as soon as possible.

The bill is currently pending before the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources.

“I’m very hopeful that the Senate committee would be able to deliberate the measure immediately. Ordinary workers need to be protected especially during this time of the pandemic,” she said.