LABOR Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma expressed support to the continued adoption of work-from-home arrangement by business establishments and companies amid the continuing threat of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In a virtual press forum Wednesday, July 6, Laguesma said he is in favor of the continuation of the work-from-home setup in a bid to prevent infections in the workplace.
"One case of Covid-19 infection, the workplace will automatically be locked down. We cannot overemphasize that it is better to be safe than sorry," said Laguesma.
"In my opinion, we should really look into the work-from-home arrangements," he added.
He said what is important is for such a work arrangement to be clearly defined and have adequate guidelines put in place.
"We should make the deliverables of employees working under the work-from-home arrangements clearer," said Laguesma.
The labor chief, however, admitted that unlike before, when there were stricter community restrictions, there are sectors that will need to have employees reporting to the workplace.
"We don't oppose such arrangements because there are sectors that really require worker presence in the workplaces, whether we like it or not," he said.
And if reporting in the workplace is inevitable, he said employers must make sure that they are adherent to the health and safety protocols.
"In such situations, please don't forget the observance of health protocols, not just for the sake of employees but also their families," said Laguesma.
Earlier, Senator Francis Tolentino filed a measure seeking to expand the coverage of the Telecommuting Act.
This, according to Tolentino, is because the Covid-19 pandemic has forced Filipinos to resort to working at home. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)