IN RESPONSE TO DOLE DIRECTIVE

Employers implemented work-from-home setup to preserve jobs –ECOP

Responding to the Department of Labor and Employment’s suggestion that employers should shoulder or reimburse the additional expenses incurred by workers during work from home arrangements, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Friday said most employers implemented the arrangement to avoid retrenchment of workers amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, ECOP President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said that most employers that implemented work-from-home arrangements did it to “accommodate” their employees who needed to keep their sources of livelihood.

“Job preservation na lang ‘yan,” Ortiz-Luis said.

He added that work-from-home arrangements, in the first place, was not compulsory and should not be forced on small businesses.

“Kapag ‘yan ay pinilit mo lalo na roon sa maliliit ay maraming mawawalan ng trabaho,” he said. “Unang una, pinagbibigyan na nga sila wala na silang masyadong assignment, hindi sila namamasahe, hindi sila nakikipagsiksikan para humanap ng sasakyan.

“Ang sinasabi ko lang, marami sa mga nagtatrabaho sa bahay ngayon walang assignment. Ina-accommodate lang sila,” Ortiz-Luis claimed.

The ECOP chief reiterated that work-from-home under the Telecommuting Act was not compulsory and should be agreed on by the employer and employee.

Under the Telecommuting Act, the “work arrangement must not be less than the minimum labor standards set by law.”

The employer and employees shall adhere to and be guided by the mutually agreed policy or telecommuting agreement in terms of specific provisions such as the use and cost of equipment. — DVM, GMA News