Bello reminds employers: You must provide shuttle service to workers

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday reminded private employers to provide shuttle services, otherwise they can't force their workers to report for work.

Bello made the reminder as transportation has remained suspended in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), even though the government has allowed certain establishments to resume operations.

On the other hand, transportation is limited in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).

Since most of employees are dependent on public transportation for mobility, Bello said, “Alam naman ng mga employer na kung gusto nila na pumasok ka at alam naman nila na wala kang sasakyan at hindi ka makarating sa iyong workplace so kung gusto nila pumasok ka kailangan mag-provide sila ng shuttle.”

“Kung hindi nila ma-provide ‘yun, hindi ka mapipilit na pumasok sa trabaho,” the Labor chief said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

Quarantine rules have since been eased since May 16, to a more relaxed MECQ, and to GCQ where 50 to 75% of the workforce per company are allowed to physically report for work.

Areas under MECQ include: the highly urbanized cities of the National Capital Region and municipality of Pateros; Bataan; Bulacan; Nueva Ecija; Pampanga including Angeles City; Zambales and Laguna.

The Labor chief said that so far the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has not received any complaints from workers being forced to report to work despite not being provided with shuttle services . —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News