99 workers who lost jobs due to COVID-19 receive cash aid By Brix A. Merlin
A total of 99 construction workers who were adversely affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) received recently cash assistance amounting to P8,000.00 each from CTB Construction and Development Corporation. The CTB management was constrained to terminate the services of the more than 90 construction workers in compliance to the safety protocols strictly implemented by the province of Surigao del Norte brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision of the said assistance emanated from an agreement made between the parties at the DOLE Provincial Office of Surigao del Norte, when a group of at least 30 workers sought DOLE’s assistance after having been allegedly terminated from work in the projects undertaken by the contractor. The DOLE provincial office through the SEna (Single Entry Approach), threshed out immediatey the concern of the workers. A total of P792,000 cash assistance was
released to the 99 worker-beneficiaries at the DOLE provincial office in three batches. The workers expressed gratitude to their employer and to the DOLE for the assistance they received that will help them defray their daily family needs in this trying time. Aside from the cash assistance, the employer had likewise given an assurance to the workers for a special preference in the hiring of workers for its future projects in the event the restrictions would be lifted. SEnA is a DOLE administrative approach for a speedy, inexpensive and accessible settlement procedure for all issues/complaints arising from employer and employee relationship. (DOLE-SDN/ PIA-Surigao del Norte) September 5-11, 2020 |
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