Ensuring the livelihood and jobs of vulnerable Filipinos is just as important as protecting everyone’s health during this period of crisis. Having a decent job is essential to live a dignified life and to be able to surmount the challenges of the current times. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) thus welcomes the announcement of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that an employment program is being prepared for approximately 200,000 workers who may lose their jobs due to the implementation of Alert Level 3.

According to DOLE, the emergency employment will provide 10 days of employment for the displaced workers that are primarily from the tourism sector and restaurant businesses. CHR recognizes this initiative of DOLE to immediately cushion the impact of the more stringent alert level to affected workers. At the same time, the Commission hopes that more sustainable employment, livelihood, and/or assistance program can be given to them in anticipation of possible prolonged and heightened alert level.

The aforementioned workers were also severely impacted by previous strict restrictions. Their dire situation necessitates holistic and expedient action to allow them to begin genuine recovery from the blows of the pandemic. Through convergence with other government programs, we are hopeful that all impacted workers will receive the support and assistance they need as the country grapples with the surge of the Omicron variant.

With the insights and lessons from the last two years of the pandemic, we equally look forward to more proactive actions from the government. Anticipating and urgently addressing the inadvertent repercussions of the crisis is part of the State’s duty to ensure the rights and dignity of all, especially the disadvantaged sectors. ###