Ahead of Labor Day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced a proposal for workers infected with COVID-19 to receive P30,000 in compensation from the government.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Wednesday, April 28, that under Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) Board Resolution No. 21-04-14, COVID-19 has been classified as a compensable illness.

According to the resolution, COVID-19 is compensable if any of the following conditions are met:

• Direct connection between the “offending agent or event” and the workers based on epidemiologic criteria and occupation risk (examples: health workers, contact tracing teams)
• Task assigned to worker requires frequent face-to-face and close proximity interactions
• Transmission occurred in the workplace
• Transmission occurred while commuting to and from work

DOLE Director Rolly Francia later said the amount will still have to be approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The amount is recommended by the ECC Board for approval by the President,” Francia told reporters.

Asked whether the proposed compensation would depend on the severity of illness, Bello said there will be no distinction.

“Basta COVID-19, P30,000. Kung halimbawa, kakailanganin ng operation or additional hospitalization, andiyan naman ang ating PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation),” said Bello.

(As long as it’s COVID-19, workers would get P30,000. If, for example, an operation or additional hospitalization would be needed, workers can turn to PhilHealth.)

The Philippines breached the 1-million mark in COVID-19 cases on Monday, April 26. – Rappler.com