The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the initiative of the Quezon City (QC) local government unit (LGU) to include non-permanent employees in the city’s health insurance program. The program to covers all full-time contract of service, job order, and consultant employees of the executive and legislative branches that have rendered at least six months of continuous and uninterrupted service prior to 01 February 2022. Thirteen thousand (13,000) non-plantilla employees of QC government will benefit from the program.

CHR commends this program as it ensures the attainment of accessible healthcare to all workers regardless of their employment status. It is especially important during this period of pandemic due to the health risks that all workers are exposed to. Providing health plans for non-permanent employees is a concrete recognition of their right to health and equal protection. It also helps secure them from the economic uncertainty that health troubles may bring.

Public employees are among the frontliners that ensure the delivery of basic services amid the pandemic. Non-permanent employees equally play crucial roles in the delivery of public service. Health insurance helps give workers a higher sense of security and protection, which can enable better performance of duty that can redound to better public service.

Employers has the obligation to ensure the health and wellness of employees regardless of their status. The Commission is hopeful that more LGUs and public offices will provide similar health security program for non-permanent workers to protect their health; cushion them from economic vulnerability; and, uplift their dignity. ###