Employers, employees urged to discuss work arrangements amid transport woes under GCQ

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday encouraged employers and employees to discuss work arrangements in light of the difficulty experienced by commuters under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

Interviewed on Unang Hirit, DOLE Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said arrangements can be hammered out where employees can still work at the comfort of their homes since public transportation is still limited under GCQ.

Either this, Tutay said, or employers should provide shuttle services for their workers.

“Sa Labor Advisory No. 17 ng DOLE, meron pa rin na pupuwedeng iba't ibang flexible work arrangements na gagawin ang kumpanya kung wala po sila talagang mai-provide na shuttle,” she said.

“Ang sinasabi po ng DOLE, mag-agree po ‘yung mga employer tsaka ‘yung mga workers. Ano ba ‘yung mas fit na arrangement para lang mapasimulan natin ang operasyon ng opisina.”

In coming up with an arrangement, Tutay advised employers to consider the health risks in their area and the distance that workers have to travel to go to work.

Employers are mandated to submit report on all changes in work policy to DOLE, Tutay said.

She also said employers should not sanction their employees for coming late given the transportation situation in Metro Manila.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said they are employing a "limited, gradual and calculated approach in providing transportation" under GCQ.

On the first day of GCQ in Metro Manila on Monday, many commuters struggled to go to work.  To address this, the DOTr opened two more routes the following day but commuters still struggled to get a ride to work.

The DOTr earlier said that the gradual resumption of public transportation will be made in two phases.

During the first phase from June 1 to 21, trains and bus augmentation, taxis, transport network vehicle services, shuttle services, point-to-point buses, and bicycles will be in place.

Tricycles are allowed subject to the approval of the concerned local government unit, while provincial buses are still barred from entering and exiting Metro Manila during the period.

Meanwhile, the second phase will cover June 22 to 30, allowing public utility buses, modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) or jeepneys, and UV Express vehicles. --KBK, GMA News