City Council seeks protection of informal workers from virus

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Office of the Mayor to come up with a concrete policy and program for the protection of informal workers against the coronavirus disease.

The policy must focus on prevention through the timely and consistent dissemination of information and awareness-raising of the transmission of COVID-19, basic infection control measures, among others.

The council also requested the chairperson of its committee on labor, employment, cooperative, and livelihood to coordinate with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This is to ensure full compliance of the DTI and DOLE Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19 for a safe return to work of workers and a safe and healthy working environment at all levels and at all times.

Councilor Alvin Dizon sponsored a resolution regarding the request which was approved by the council on its special session last Monday.

 “The government must look into the welfare of both formal and informal workers and the formulation of any policy guidance or measures to the future of work, both formal and informal, shall put workers’ rights, needs and aspirations at the heart of economic and social policies and any decision to return to work, the primary considerations must be life and health, the anticipation of risks and harm reduction,” said Dizon.

“It is also of equal importance to look into the plight of the informal workers in our city who are not covered or are not able to comply with the health and safety protocols mandated by the government and health authorities,” he further said.

Dizon cited reports that while the city is having a dramatic downward trend of new COVID-19 cases in most barangays, offices or workplaces have become the most “prevalent” source of infection.

“Ensuring the safe and healthy return to work of our workers especially under a more relaxed quarantine status is fundamental for decent work and where all policy guidance formulated for the return to work must be anchored,” said Dizon.

The councilor said the COVID-19 pandemic has radically transformed the world of work.

He stressed the cooperation and coordinated action among government, employers, and workers is primordial in reinforcing the initial progress made by the city in stemming infection rates in the communities, and equally important is by ensuring a safe and healthy return to work of the workers.

With the city under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) since September 1, Dizon said more movement of people for non-essential purposes and more business sectors will be allowed.

Executive Order No. 89 issued by Mayor Edgardo Labella specified the MGCQ guidelines which, among others, allow certain industries and sectors to operate at a full capacity, at 75 percent capacity and 50 percent capacity as the case may be. — GMR (FREEMAN)