Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) The Department of Labor and Employment said COVID-19 has been included in the list of occupational and work-related diseases.
This means workers who were infected by the virus could receive compensation via the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) provided they meet the conditions specified under a recent board resolution.
“Considering the OSHC’s (Occupational Safety and Health Center) recommendations and after deliberations with the Department of Labor and Employment and various labor and employer groups, (Labor Secretary Silvestre) Bello added that the Commission has moved that COVID-19 be considered an occupational and work-related disease,” the ECC said in a statement released on Thursday.
Board Resolution No. 21-04-14 said the following are the conditions for the compensability of COVID-19:
– There must be a direct connection between the offending agent or event and the worker based on epidemiologic criteria and occupational risk (e.g., healthcare workers, screening and contact tracing teams, etc.);
– The tasks assigned to the worker would require frequent face to face and close proximity interactions with the public or with confirmed cases for healthcare workers;
– Transmission occurred in the workplace; or
– Transmission occured while commuting to and from work.
To apply for the benefits, workers are asked to submit the following: certificate of employment, diagnosis with RT-PCR result, submission of evidence of exposure, medical records as necessary.
“We recognize the risk of those who courageously and willingly put their lives on the line as we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic,” ECC Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said.
In a separate interview at the Laging Handa briefing, Zipagan said workers will receive sickeness benefits and their out-of-pocket expenses could also be returned.
“Ang mga benefits na makukuha po dito ay yung tinatawag nating sickness benefit, daily allowance po yun at ang maximum po nito ay 480 per day… Pag nagkaroon naman sila ng hospitalization ay pwede rin pong mareimburse yung tinatawag na out of pocket na nagastos nila,” she said.
[Translation: They will receive sickness benefits, a daily allowance which can be up to P480 per day… If they get hospitalized, their out of pocket expenses can be reimbursed.]
The ECC added those who believe they got infected during their commute to and from work or aboard the company shuttle are covered by the aid which is on top of PhilHealth benefits.
Meanwhile, a workers’ group said the government should work quickly to help those affected by the virus.
“Funds should immediately be available for the hospital bills of workers who got infected in the workplace,” said Ayuda Network spokesperson Buddy Carranza.
“The government should state how much budget it will provide for the compensation package,” he also said. “It should also be clear on the source of funding. Without the budget allocation, the listing which is a positive response, will only lead to false hopes.”
Moreover, Carranza said hospital costs could “cripple” workers’ families for a long time.
He also said the application process for the compensation should be made easy, adding that a long list of requirements and tedious process could add to workers’ problems.
