Wear mask at work, employees in the Philippines told

Josua Mata, secretary general of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) union, said, “Press your employer to ensure that health protocols are maintained: wear masks indoors, keep physical distance as much as possible, wash our hands frequently, and make sure that there is proper ventilation in the workplace.”

Meanwhile, Renato Magtubo, Chairperson of Partido Manggagawa, a labour political party, believes it is still “best to err on the side of safety” as far as the mask rule in workplaces is concerned. 

They also asked workers to practice other safety protocols at their places of work. 

Elmer Labog, Chairman of independent labour centre Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), asked employers to ensure that their employees are healthy and protected against COVID-19. “What matters most in the changes in health policies is to strengthen the resistance and immunity of workers and their families against diseases and sickness by increasing their take-home pay to improve their purchasing capacity for food and vitamin requirements.”

READ: Mask wearing at workplaces in the Philippines optional

In Labour Advisory No. 22 issued on Nov. 2, the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) relaxed the mandatory use of face masks in workplaces.

However, it encouraged the elderly, immunocompromised, unvaccinated, COVID-19 symptomatic individuals, individuals with comorbidities, and pregnant women to still wear face masks in workplaces, reported PNA.