The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said employers cannot force their employees to go on site if they do not have any available mode of transportation at their disposal amid the ban in public transportation during MECQ.
The DTI also obliged private companies to provide free rides for their employees and strictly impose minimum health standards in transporting their workers such as wearing of face masks, requiring proper sanitation, and traveling with 50 percent maximum capacity of shuttle services.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) also reminded returning workers to bring their identification cards to be shown at checkpoints and avoid hassles.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is determined to push for a work from home scheme or a telecommuting work arrangement. Following Labor Advisory No. 17, the DOLE also emphasized companies must provide adequate support to their employees so the latter could perform duties even outside office premises.
The DOLE encouraged the adoption of alternative working schemes such as the transfer of employees to other branches, assignment of employees to other functions, and reduced working days to preserve jobs in case business establishments resort to forced closures and employment termination.
