(File photo)
MANILA – Labor organizations on Friday urged their colleagues to continue wearing face masks in their respective workplaces amid the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) declaration that its use is already voluntary.
"Press your employer to ensure that health protocols are maintained: wear masks indoors, keep physical distance as much as possible, wash our hands frequently, and make sure that there is proper ventilation in the workplace," said Josua Mata, secretary general of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), in an interview.
Meanwhile, Partido Manggagawa (PM) chairperson Renato Magtubo believes it is still "best to err on the side of safety" as far as the mask rule in workplaces is concerned.
They also asked workers to practice other safety protocols in their places of work.
On the other hand, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairperson Elmer Labog asked employers to ensure that their employees are healthy and protected against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
"What matters most in the changes in health policies is to strengthen the resistance and immunity of workers and their families against diseases and sickness by increasing their take-home pay to improve their purchasing capacity for food and vitamin requirements," he said.
In Labor Advisory No. 22 issued on Nov. 2, the department relaxed the mandatory use of face masks in workplaces.
But, it encouraged the elderly, immunocompromised, unvaccinated, COVID-19 symptomatic individuals, individuals with comorbidities, and pregnant women to still wear face masks in workplaces.
The relaxation of the policy on face mask use is pursuant to Executive Order 7 issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Oct. 28, allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings. (PNA)
