Workers left to fend for themselves amid pandemic, labor groups claim

The United Workers Coalition on Friday slammed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), claiming that two of its advisories were "blatantly anti-worker."

In a virtual press conference, the coalition called for the scrapping of Labor Advisory 17 (LA17) and the Department Order 213 (DO 213).

“Our call is for 'Balik Trabahong Ligtas' since workers have the right to return to work only under safe and healthy conditions,” Sonny Matula, Nagkaisa chairperson, said.

According to Matula, workers will be "forced to put [their] lives on the line" when they resume working under the general community quarantine "just to keep industries and the whole economy going."

"Instead of getting the full support of [the] government, we are being left to fend for ourselves, or worse, it is making things more difficult for us,” Matula said.

Labor Advisory 17 contained guidelines that aimed to assist employers to resume their operations while preserving the employment of their workers.

“Labor Advisory 17 was released in bad taste, with very bad timing. It encourages and practically gives employers the power to slash wages. This, while we are in the thick of negotiations with management for hazard pay,” he added.

Paggawa spokesperson Ernest Arellano, meanwhile, said that both policies "serve the selfish interest of employers."

“Workers must be the last to sacrifice in the attempt to keep businesses afloat because they were last to benefit from the profits they created when the economy was booming," Arellano said.

Meanwhile, KMU chairperson Elmer Labog said that the government has "totally abandoned its responsibility to the Filipino workers and people."

"After two months of lockdown without means to support their families, the workers are now left at the mercy of companies. This government has no compassion at all even in this time of crisis,” Labog said.

He further stressed that DOLE should oversee the health and safety of workers once they resume working.

The coalition is composed of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Pagkakaisa ng Uring Manggagawa (Paggawa) with other unions and workers associations. —LDF, GMA News