Palace urges private sector to give salaries to contractual, job order workers during quarantine period

Malacanang hailed on Friday the release of a circular stating that government contractual and job order employees will continue to receive their salaries during the month-long enhanced community quarantine, and urged the private sector to do the same.

"The Office of the President welcomes the timely issuance by its Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA), an independent constitutional body, of Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2020," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"As the Palace joins COA and DBM in encouraging local government units to adopt the guidelines specified in Joint Circular No. 1 (s. 2020), it also trusts that its partners in the private sector will be inspired in providing the same policy to their workers under similar work arrangements," he added.

The circular, released on Friday,  said government contractual and job order workers are entitled to receive their salaries during the one-month enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, doing away with the "no work, no pay" scheme.

"The joint circular has been hoped for by our people as the document makes it clear that COS and JO workers in government who would not be able to work by reason of the community quarantine will still receive their corresponding salaries or wages as an exception the labor principle of 'no work, no pay'," Panelo said.

"The prompt efforts of COA and DBM would certainly alleviate the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 against our people in the public sector who have been anxious of their situation. This is one less worry for them and their families," he said.

Several private firms have earlier assured their employees of receiving their salaries despite the business operation interruptions due to the quarantine.  Others have also given extra incentives such as additional pay and early release of the 13th month pay. —Virgil Lopez/LDF, GMA News