By Pearl Gumapos
Companies should not pass on vaccination expenses to their employees, Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Benjo Santos Benavidez said on Thursday (Aug. 12).
“Nilinaw natin sa Labor Advisory na ang bakuna ay libre para sa mga manggagawa at hindi po dapat ipasa sa kanila ang anumang gastusin sa pagbabakuna,” Benavidez said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
He said that companies who have been given permission to hold vaccinations for their employees must follow directives in line with the policies of the Inter-Agency Task Force and the National Task Force.
Benavidez also said that the recently released labor advisory calls for companies to encourage their workers to have themselves vaccinated.
He also said the “no vaccine, no work” policy isn’t recognized and is not allowed.
“Ipinagbabawal natin ang kung anumang porma ng diskriminasyon. At ‘yung mga naririnig natin na “No vaccine, no work” policy, hindi po natin ito nire-recognize at ito po ay bawal,” he said.
“Gusto ko lang bigyang diin na walang parusa na nakapaloob sa Labor Advisory subalit kapag hindi po pinapasok ang isang manggagawa na di pa nababakunahan, tuloy po ang kanyang sahod. Kapag siya naman po ay sinuspinde o kaya tinanggal, maaari po siyang magsampa ng kaukulang reklamo,” he added.
Meanwhile, the DOLE has requested with the DBM regarding the cash aid to be given to workers, and the implementation of emergency employment via the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
TUPAD is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed, and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed. -rir
