Domestic workers who contract Covid-19 entitled to cash aid: DOLE

MANILA – Domestic workers (kasambahays) that contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are entitled to financial benefits, a labor official said on Friday.

“The SSS (Social Security System) has employees’ compensation program for kasambahays the benefits, for example, the helper got infected with the virus they have a daily income benefit of PHP480 per day up to 14 days,” Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla, director of the Labor department’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BSWC), said in a Laging Handa briefing.

She added that the domestic workers are also entitled to cash aid amounting to PHP10,000.

“Plus cash assistance of PHP10,000 and medical reimbursement. Under PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance), their testing is covered provided they are members,” she added. “If they are confirmed case of Covid-19, they will also receive compensation but it will be spent based on the severity of pneumonia.”

At the same time, she said employers have to take care of the expenses of the helper.

“The hospital treatment should be shouldered by the employer especially if the employee is enrolled with the SSS and PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corp.),” she said.