DOLE backs stimulus fund for COVID-hit workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Sunday expressed its support for the proposal to allocate P155 billion for wage subsidies and cash for work programs.

"Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the passage of the stimulus measure [by Congress] will enable the government to extend wage subsidy to workers and help them recover from the effects of the global health pandemic," the statement read.

Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo had earlier proposed a P370-billion fiscal stimulus package to address the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019

According to Quimbo, her proposal primarily aims to ensure that businesses would continue to operate after the COVID-19 crisis by offering compensation for payroll costs during the community quarantines, capacity building to enable businesses to recover, zero-interest loans to boost liquidity, and "proportional" assistance.

Meanwhile, DOLE had also proposed a Barangay Emergency Employment Program (BEEP) to Congress that will provide assistance to select workers.

BEEP would assist workers in the tourism, transportation, trade, and those working in the priority programs of the government.

It would also cover freelancers and self-employed individuals, as well as repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"The program aims to ensure income and employment retention to workers in the formal sector, and provide wage amelioration and other unemployment benefits to freelance and self-employed workers, including the repatriated OFWs," said DOLE. — DVM, GMA News