Senator Lito Lapid has filed a bill which aims to put in place a mechanism that will help address the adverse effects of the current pandemic and similar future events to our workforce.
The proposed measure provides for 28 paid quarantine leave benefits per year equivalent to the daily wage rate of affected workers in the public and private sectors.
The grant of paid quarantine leave is applicable to any person who, while performing tasks as required for his/her employment whether in the public or private sector, and regardless of employment status, shall be exposed to or be infected with a highly contagious diseases or dangerous chemical which would require quarantine for a certain period of time.
This is to prevent its spread to the public as may be determined by the competent government authority.
The qualified worker shall be entitled to paid leave equivalent to his/her daily wage rate during the entire period of his/her quarantine; provided, that the quarantine period shall not exceed 28 days for any given year.
“Napakahirap at delikado ng panahon natin ngayon pero marami pa rin sa atin ang sumasabak sa panganib para lamang makapagtrabaho. Pero ang masaklap para sa ating mga masisipag at matatapang na manggagawa, oras na tamaan sila ng sakit gaya na lamang ng COVID-19, ‘di lamang sila gagastos sa pagpapa-ospital at pagbili ng gamot, ang ilan pa sa kanila ay walang sweldong matatanggap o nauubos ang leave dahil kanilang mag-quarantine,” Lapid said.
“Isinusulong ko ang panukalang batas na magbibigay ng hiwalay na quarantine leave benefits sa ating mga manggagawa.”
“Kaya isinusulong ko ang panukalang batas na magbibigay ng hiwalay na quarantine leave benefits sa ating mga manggagawa para sa oras na tamaan man sila ng sakit, masisigurong may pantustos pa rin sila sa kanilang pamilya at may pambili ng gamot para sa agarang pagaling nila,” the veteran legislator explained.
The Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), as applicable, shall reimburse the employer for the payment of its employee’s paid quarantine leaves.
Provided, that the employer shall shoulder the payment of such quarantine leaves in cases where the exposure of an employee to such highly contagious diseases or dangerous chemicals was a result of negligence on the part of the employer.
An employer’s willful refusal to grant the paid quarantine leave benefit shall be punished
by a fine of not less than thirty thousand pesos (P30,000.00) but not more than two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).
“Mananatili pa rin dapat ang pagbibigay ng mga kumpanya ng sick leave, hazard pay at iba pang benepisyo na para sa mga empleyado.”
If the act or omission penalized by this Act was committed by an association, partnership, corporation or any other institution, its managing head, directors or partners shall be held liable to the penalties provided by this Act.
“Bagamat isinusulong ko ang hiwalay na quarantine leave benefits, mananatili pa rin dapat ang pagbibigay ng mga kumpanya ng sick leave, hazard pay at iba pang benepisyo na para sa mga empleyado,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
“Pero sinisiguro na ang panukalang ito ay hindi lamang para sa ikabubuti ng mga empleyado kung hindi para din sa mga employers at sa buong bansa lalu’t napatunayan natin na ang mga nakahahawang sakit gaya ng COVID-19 ay lubhang nakasama sa ating ekonomiya kaya dapat lang na may handa tayong benepisyo na ibibigay sa mga tatamaan nito habang nasa trabaho,” the senator concluded.
