Senator Loren Legarda is pushing for better protection and additional pay for workers who still have to report for work during storms, floods and other calamities.
Legarda said many workers continue to travel to work despite dangerous weather because they need to earn money for their families.
These include workers in transportation, food supply, healthcare, utilities, media, retail, construction, agriculture and other jobs that require them to report onsite.
Under Senate Bill No. 520, or the proposed Calamity Work Compensation Act, covered private-sector workers who are required to report onsite during Signal No. 3, 4 or 5 storms, or similar calamities, would receive an additional 30 percent of their daily wage.
The additional pay would cover the extra costs and risks workers face, including limited transportation, higher fares and safety concerns.
Legarda stressed that the proposal would not replace hazard pay or encourage workers to put themselves in danger.
“Kung kinakailangang pumasok ang manggagawa sa gitna ng bagyo o baha upang mapanatiling bukas ang operasyon at maipagpatuloy ang serbisyo, nararapat lamang na kilalanin at tumbasan ang dagdag na panganib at gastos na ipinapasan sa kanya,” she said.
Legarda also called for stronger protection for delivery riders, drivers, vendors and other daily wage earners who continue working despite dangerous weather.
“Hindi dapat kapalit ng isang araw na kita ang kaligtasan ng isang manggagawa,” she said.IMT
