FAO cites DOLE program for informal workers displaced by COVID-19

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has cited the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for its social protection program for informal sector workers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

Pointing to a FAO report, the DOLE said the Philippines was among only 11 countries that adopted a program that specifically targeted the most vulnerable informal sector workers of the economy.

“In a recent report, FAO said that while 84 countries introduced social protection measures to address the impact of COVID-19, only 11 adopted schemes meant specifically for workers in the informal sector,” the Labor Department said.

Aside from the Philippines, the other countries cited for such programs are Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Egypt, Australia, Thailand, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

“The most common measures taken so far include the introduction of cash grants and food distribution for vulnerable groups, and temporary employment schemes for informal workers,” read the FAO report.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a major economic and labor market shock presenting significant impact in terms of unemployment and underemployment for informal workers.”

The report also stated that the pandemic would surely exacerbate the vulnerability of those in the informal sector.

Thus, response measures should foster the expansion of social protection coverage to informal workers like cash transfers, food or in-kind distribution.

“In the Philippines, informal workers who have temporarily lost their livelihood can apply for a temporary employment programme, limited to 10 days of work involving disinfection/sanitation of their houses and immediate vicinities,” according to the FAO report.

“Beneficiaries will have orientation on safety and health, payment of 100 percent of the highest prevailing minimum wage, and will be enrolled into group micro-insurance,” it said.

The DOLE said that the FAO was referring to its modified Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), an employment creation program that provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers in the informal economy.

Dubbed as TUPAD Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko Disinfection/Sanitation Project or TUPAD #BKBK, the qualified workers were paid the prevailing minimum wage set in their respective regions equivalent to 10 days.

As of April 24, a total of 259,449 workers have availed the TUPAD #BKBK across all regions which exceeds the initial target of 235,949 beneficiaries.

Of this, 65% have completed their work and were paid a total of P723 million in wages.

More than 500,000 individuals have pending requests to be covered under the project, according to the DOLE.

However, it said the pending requests will not all be covered due to dwindling funds.

“DOLE quickly responded and taken measures in response to CoVID 19 pandemic affecting the formal sector, workers in the informal economy and the Overseas Filipino Workers. We hope that the TUPAD #BKBK can help alleviate the thousands of informal sector workers displaced by this crisis,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

The Bicol Region has served the highest number of workers under the TUPAD #BMBK with a total of 53,169 workers amounting to P68.8 million in wages paid.

This was followed by CALABARZON with a total of 23,808 affected informal workers at P60.4 Million disbursement.

In Davao, TUPAD #BKBK workers have expressed how the project had provided a sense of security to be able to spend their wages on family necessities while in quarantine. — DVM, GMA News