Workers hurt due to bad weather may get benefits
The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said Friday employees may be entitled to benefits and support services should they be injured due to weather conditions amid the relentless monsoon rains this month.
Dole said in a statement under the employees’ compensation program of the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC), workers may be entitled to such benefits as income replacement
This benefit is a “financial assistance [that] serves as a substitute salary for employees who are temporarily unable to report for duty due to job-related accidents or sickness,” allowing them to fully heal before resuming their work, the department said.
“Going to work and coming home from work is already covered by the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program. So that means, if they get into an accident while heading to work, like slipping because the street is wet, or their foot falls into an open manhole, this is covered by EC,” ECC Executive Director Kaima Via Velasquez said.
Medical reimbursements
Workers who suffer from job-related injuries may also receive medical reimbursements covering up to 60 percent of their treatment and doctor consultation expenses, Dole said.
These workers should submit their hospital and medical receipts and file their claims through the Social Security System (SSS) for private sector employees or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for those in government.
When an accident occurs off-site or during a worker’s daily commute, he or she should provide a valid documentation of the incident to the SSS or GSIS to become eligible for the benefits, Dole said.
No sanctions
Dole earlier issued an advisory stating that employees who refuse or fail to report for work because of adverse weather conditions and similar events should not be subjected to any administrative sanctions.
The agency also said employees would need to render at least six hours of work to be entitled to the full amount of regular pay.
Dole also said employers may provide additional incentives or benefits to their employees who report to work during adverse weather conditions to help ease their burden.
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
