DOLE preparing emergency employment for displaced workers under Alert Level 3 —Bello

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday said it is preparing its emergency employment program to serve the up to 200,000 workers who may lose their jobs due to the implementation of Alert Level 3.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that currently, around 100,000 employees have already lost their jobs but the number may still increase.

“We are preparing for an emergency program, meaning emergency employment for 10 days for these displaced workers,” he said.

In his coordination with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Bello said workers in the tourism sector and restaurant businesses would be the most affected by the additional restrictions under Alert Level 3.

Beneficiaries may receive the daily minimum wage of P537 for Metro Manila or P5,370 for the 10-day work, according to Bello.

The government has placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15, as well as Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal from January 5 to 15, 2022,  amid the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs/perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3

Employers have to submit a list of their workers who lost their jobs due to the implementation of stricter quarantine classification, Bello said.

Workers may also apply through their city’s or municipality’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) or call DOLE’s hotline 1349, he added. —KBK, GMA News