Jobs and jabs at Labor Day fairs

MANILA, Philippines — Labor Day jobseekers are not only promised employment at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) job fairs, but free vaccination as a medical service, as well.

Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said yesterday that 26 job fair sites will be opened nationwide on May 1 and a number of them, like the country’s first Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital in Pampanga, will be offering medical services.

“There are selected job sites in which vaccination is available,” Benavidez told the Laging Handa public briefing, during which he emphasized that the job fairs welcome even unvaccinated individuals.

Still, the job, business and livelihood fair would strictly enforce minimum health protocols and encourages jobseekers to get a jab for their protection against COVID-19.

As of yesterday, Benavidez said there are at least 82,000 vacancies, with more local and overseas jobs expected to be offered by May 1.

Benavidez said the DOLE has lined up numerous Labor Day activities which shall be highlighted by the inauguration of the OFW Hospital in the City of San Fernando.

The OFW Hospital is yet to fully operate, but it will start providing outpatient services to Filipino migrants starting on Labor Day, he said.

As this developed, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) pressed for safer and healthier workplaces for Filipino workers.

“We need to heighten our assertiveness for safe and healthy working conditions and extend our fortitude particularly in emerging freelance riders and gig economy industries spurred by increased electronic commerce and online transactions amid the ongoing pandemic,” said Gerard Seno, ALU vice president.

During the pandemic, the ALU recorded a number of work-related deaths and injuries. It also appealed for the granting of leave, hazard pay and risk allowances for health and medical workers battling the spread of the virus.