Workplace rules amid quarantine cover POGOs: DOLE

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the guidelines, which were crafted together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), should be observed inside workplaces. (PIA file photo)

MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Wednesday that Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are covered by the guidelines for private companies that are allowed to operate during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the guidelines, which were crafted together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), should be observed inside workplaces.

“That is a DTI-DOLE guideline. Cleanliness and safety of all workplaces, including POGO. They have to comply with these occupational safety and health standards,” he said in an interview.

Meanwhile, Bello said the issuance of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) will be subject to the provisions or conditions set by the inter-agency task force composed of the DOLE, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and other government agencies.

Last week, the government has allowed the partial reopening of POGOs during the quarantine period.

“There is still the condition that we won’t give foreign nationals an AEP if the work that he is applying for can be done by a Filipino. For that purpose, they need to apply and to publish. If there is no objection, we will issue AEP. During application they should have Tax Identification Number for payment of taxes,” he said.

On May 2, the DOLE and DTI issued the guidelines which aim to assist employers and workers in the private sector in developing minimum health protocols and standards in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.