DOLE issues rules for cash-for-work program amid Covid-19

FILE: Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III during a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2018), which is held at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila.(PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA – Underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers will be covered by the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers #Barangay Ko, Bahay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday.

Based on Department Order (DO) 210, series of 2020, these workers will be provided with emergency employment to cushion the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on them.

“The qualified beneficiaries are the underemployed, self-employed, and displaced marginalized workers who have lost their livelihood or whose earnings were affected due to the enhanced community quarantine against Covid-19,” said the guidelines signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

The workers will be compensated for 10 days of working on disinfection/sanitation of their houses/dwellings and the immediate vicinity of their houses.

It added that the salary would depend on the prevailing highest minimum wage in the region.

“As provided for in Section 7 of DO 173-17, the following package of services shall be provided to the TUPAD beneficiaries, which include the following: Payment of wages equivalent to 100 percent of the prevailing highest minimum wage in the region; enrollment to group micro-insurance; and conduct of basic orientation on safety and health through dissemination of brochures,” it said.

“The DOLE regional offices are also advised to provide cleaning solutions, and ensure that the TUPAD beneficiaries are properly advised to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizers,” the DOLE added.

Earlier, the department said it was looking to assist 16,000 informal sector workers, through the TUPAD where they are rolling out a PHP180-million emergency employment program.

The TUPAD, one of the flagship programs of DOLE, aims to contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth. It is a community-based (municipality/barangay) package of assistance that provides affected workers with temporary wage employment.