Employers group to SSS, ECC, PhilHealth: Cover COVID-infected workers at home

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) on Thursday called concerned agencies to prepare a program that will provide benefits to employees infected by COVID-19 who are not confined in hospitals.

ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said the Social Security System (SSS), Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC), and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should also cover these workers.

“Yung tatlong agency na ‘yan, kailangan maghanda ng program para sa hindi confined (These three agencies should prepare a program for those who are not confined in hospital),” he said.

He pointed out that these agencies only have to adjust their policies on the coverage of infected employees who were staying at home, adding that they do not need new laws to implement that.

“Gagawan lang ng policy ‘yan. Policy na iko-cover nila yung nasa bahay, (They will only make a policy. A policy that they will cover those who are confined at home), he said.

Luis made the statement when asked about the suggestion of the Department of Labor and Employment to employers to still pay infected workers who have to leave from duty.

Big companies can give assistance to their sick employees. But, Luis noted that small businesses cannot provide this to their workers considering they are also affected by the economic impact of the pandemic.

“Ang problema natin ay yung maliliit, 65% ng mga empleyado ay nasa microbusiness (Our problem is the small companies, 65% of our employees are in microbusiness),” he said.

“Ang dapat dyan, tulungan ng gobyerno (The government should help them),” he added. —LBG, GMA News