AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Senators call for occupational safety, emergency aid for workers on Labor Day

Several senators honored the working sector and lobbied for their protection on Labor Day as the whole world continues to fight coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Senate committee on labor chairperson Joel Villanueva said that this year's Labor Day is a historic one because the workers are facing a no-ordinary enemy and hence also calls for intensified actions to ensure their welfare.

"Sa mga sektor na bubuksan ng paisa-isa, kinakailangan ang striktong pagpapatupad ng ating OSH law o Occupational Safety and Health Standards, RA 11058, sa kanilang mga lugar-paggawa tulad ng paggamit ng personal protective equipment at kasama na rin po ang social distancing," Villanueva said.

"Para sa ibang mga sektor at industriya, hinihikayat po natin ang pagpatupad ng mga Work From Home schemes alinsunod sa ating Telecommuting Law o RA 11165," he added.

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the "new normal" should include better working conditions too for Filipinos.

"Hindi tayo babalik sa dati. COVID-19 highlighted the failure of a system that is oppressive to workers, that prioritizes profit over human welfare. We cannot go back to that system," she said.

"Simula ngayon, tayo ay dapat nagpapanday ng isang sistemang may pagrespeto sa kapakanan, karapatan at kagalingan ng mga manggagawa," she added.

Detained Senator Leila De Lima, meanwhile, called for faster distribution of assistance for workers whose livelihoods had been affected by the strict quarantine protocols.

"Pabilisin natin ang ayuda at apurahin na ang pagkilos upang makabangon ang ating mga manggagawa mula sa kahirapan at pagdurusa," she said.

"Pawiin  ang kanilang pangamba, hindi dagdagan pa. Bigyang lakas, hindi biktimahin ng dahas. Unahing pagbuksan ng oportunidad kaysa dayuhan pa ang maging prayoridad," she added.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, on the other hand, expressed condolences to the loved ones of the frontliners who died in the line of duty.

"We share the grief of the families of our fallen doctors and medical personnel who earnestly did their job until the end," he said.

He also stressed that empowering the labor sector in these trying times is of national interest.

"The Philippines will not have a strong and growing economy without a strong, growing working class," he said.

Senator Nancy Binay also made the same point and underscored that those in the informal sector should not be left behind.

"Tulungan natin ang mga nasa impormal na sektor dahil sila ang saligan ng muling pagbangon ng ekonomiya," she said.

She also recognized the importance of the bayanihan spirit centered on uplifting the affected laborers.

"We commend industry leaders and entrepreneurs who are willing to create and provide jobs to those who have been displaced here and abroad," she said.

Meanwhile, Senator Bong Go assured the workers that he would push for the Balik-Probinsya program which aims to boost rural development.

"Sa tulong ng Balik Probinsya program, umaasa po ako na hindi na kakailanganin pa ng ating mga manggagawa mula sa probinsya na pumunta sa Maynila para lamang makahanap ng trabaho," he said.

According to the Department of Labor and Employment, around two million Filipinos have been displaced locally after the government imposed community quarantines to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.—AOL, GMA News