Human Rights Online Philippines

Labor NGO supports legislative efforts ensuring workers’ right to health and their well-being

Labor NGO Ecumenical Institute of Labor Education and Research (EILER supports legislative efforts to ensure workers’ right to health and their well-being. This is in light of proposals for a Workers’ Rest Law’ (HB 10717 and SB 2475) that prohibits employers from contacting or giving additional work for employees beyond working hours.

Under the pandemic, workers have further been subjected to labor flexibilization and difficult work set-up such as working from home or working on-site without the guarantee of ayuda and quarantine leaves if they contracted Covid-19. Many employees, especially those under work from home set-up, have complained about being forced to attend work-related activities beyond work hours without additional pay. This negatively impacts workers’ physical and mental health. Aside from this, workers also face repressive and discriminatory policies such as the “no vaccine, no work” policy being imposed on various workplaces.

Workers’ health and well-being should be prioritized. In addition, workers affected by COVID-19 should be provided ayuda and benefits. EILER calls on lawmakers to pass pro-worker legislation. “Paid Pandemic Leave Bill (HB 7909 and SB 2148), as well as additional wage subsidies for affected workers, should immediately be passed and implemented,” Rochelle Porras, EILER Executive Director said.

“It is high time that legislators ensure and protect the dignity of work. Workers should not be treated as cannon-fodders for the sake of business and profit interests,” Porras concluded.

Reference: Ms. Rochelle Porras, EILER Executive Director, +63 927 493 5747

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