DOLE to issue guidelines for employers affected by Boracay closure

FILE: Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the advisory will contain provisions on what can be done to affected workers during the six-month period. (PNA PHOTO)

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will issue an advisory to guide employers in the formal sector on what to do with their employees who will be affected by the six-month closure of Boracay.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the advisory will contain provisions on what can be done to affected workers during the six-month period.

“Should they terminate them? If they terminate them, then they should be entitled to separation pay,” Bello said in an interview Friday. “Or should they retain them? Especially since it will only be for six months.”

On the other hand, he said they are looking to assist some 5,000 workers by providing them with emergency employment assistance as soon as the popular tourist spot closes this month.

“We are estimating about maybe 5,000 beneficiaries. That is the only number we could afford,” Bello added.

Priority will be given to members of the informal sector, such as food stall vendors, he said.

“We will use them to cleanup Boracay. That is what we are assessing so that we can have participation during the closure of Boracay,” the labor chief added.

Under the emergency employment program, worker-beneficiaries shall get the prevailing minimum wage rate in the region, as well as social security benefits.

Malacañang on Wednesday announced the temporary closure of the world-class island resort for a maximum period of six months starting April 26.

It was reported that some 17,000 workers would be affected by the shutdown.