The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) encouraged the private sector to adopt flexible work arrangements and observe social distancing amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The DoLE recommended to adopt flexible work arrangements as an “alternative to outright termination of the services of the employees or the closure of the establishment.”
The flexible work arrangements recommended by the DoLE are telecommuting, work from home, reduction of workdays/hours, rotation of workers and forced leaves. “[These] are hereby and highly encouraged in establishments that continue to operate.” the DoLE said.
The Labor department also advised all manufacturing, retail, and service establishments to remain in operation during the community quarantine period set to impose on Metro Manila on Sunday provided that social distancing and other safety and health measures will be strictly observed.
The DoLE said that leaves of absence during the community quarantine period shall be charged against the worker’s existing leave credits.
PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT
Residents outside of Metro Manila but who are working in the said area will be allowed to report to work provided that they present proof of employment and residency in checkpoints.
These include identification cards containing address/place of work and employer’s place of residence, or certificate of employment issued by company which shall state the place of work.
“The same shall apply to residents in Metro Manila who work in nearby cities and/or municipalities outside the National Capital Region (NCR),” the DoLE noted.
“Self-employed workers shall be allowed to travel to and from the NCR. Provided that proof of business or economic activity must be presented at border checkpoints,” it added.
The DoLE said that those delivering goods such as food, raw materials, among others should have access in Metro Manila “provided that they present proof of delivery receipt stating the address to move from Metro Manila to other regions and vice versa.”
“All healthcare facilities shall be fully operational and their employees shall be allowed to move from Metro Manila to other regions and vice versa,” the DoLE said. (Analou de Vera)
