DOLE: Drug-related injuries not compensable
MANILA, Philippines - Workers will not be compensated for injuries sustained from illegal drug use, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said yesterday.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said drug-related illnesses are not covered by the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) benefits.
Bello said the ECC has received requests for compensation from workers who acquired injuries from drug use.
He said the requests for compensation were rejected after the ECC found that the illnesses were caused by prohibited drugs.
“Under the ECC regulations, only work-related injuries, disabilities and sickness are covered by compensation benefits. If these were caused by alcohol, liquor or illegal drugs, they can never be compensated,” Bello explained.
ECC executive director Stella Zipangan-Banawis said the DOLE strictly enforces occupational safety and health standards to prevent work-related incidents.
“The DOLE upholds the establishment of safe, healthy and productive working environment for the workers,” Banawis said.
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