The Department of Labor and Employment has issued Department Order No. 209, Series of 2020, providing P5,000 each to workers adversely affected by the reduction of work hours/work days, rotation of forced leave, those whose employment is temporarily suspended due to the suspension of business establishment operations, and those workers in the formal economy regardless of status, or those who are employed by any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.
The order was published in the March 18 issue of the Inquirer.
I am concerned, however, for the bus drivers and conductors, jeepney drivers, tricycle drivers, and pedicab drivers who earn and are paid on a daily basis. I am not sure if they are included among the formal sector workers covered by the order. As public transportation has been disallowed during the quarantine period, these workers do not earn and are, therefore, unable to provide for the daily needs of their families.
The government must pay these citizens appropriate attention. Maybe civic groups and other organizations, which have taken the initiative to support the front-liners in the battle against COVID-19, can also help.
EFREN C. CARAG
caraglaw@yahoo.com