DOLE urges WFH amid rising COVID cases

To avoid the possible spread of COVID-19 in workplaces, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is encouraging companies nationwide to adopt the work-from-home (WFH) scheme and other preventive measures.

- MAYEN JAYMALIN, Janvic Mateo 

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the DOLE is not mandating but merely encouraging employers to implement measures to protect their workers amid the rising prevalence of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Laguesma suggested that workers voluntarily undergo swab tests if they are experiencing symptoms of the infection.

“I won’t dictate, but based on how we feel, if we have symptoms, let’s undergo a test. Safety is of utmost importance not only in workplaces, but also in our homes. We won’t force things,” Laguesma told reporters in Filipino yesterday.

He further stressed that there is an existing Telecommuting Law that both employers and workers can agree to adopt.

WFH arrangements can also be adopted as a response to the ongoing jeepney strike, according to the DOLE chief.