December 16, 2020 | 7:47 pm Font Size
PHILSTAR
THE International Labor Organization (ILO) said over 81 million jobs were lost in the Asia-Pacific region as countries struggled to maintain employment levels during the pandemic.
The ILO said Wednesday in its report, Asia–Pacific Employment and Social Outlook 2020: Navigating the crisis towards a human-centred future of work that the unemployment rate in the region could rise to 5.2-5.7% in 2020 from 4.4% in 2019.
“Using available Labor Force Survey data and additional input data in a nowcasting model, the report estimates a resulting jobs gap in 2020 at the regional level of 81 million as a result of the crisis,” the ILO said.
House approves 14-day paid pandemic leave bill inquirer.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from inquirer.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): The House labour and employment committee has approved a measure providing a 14-day paid pandemic leave to workers in a bid to give them further relief amid the crisis.
In an online hearing on Friday (Dec 11), the panel chaired by 1Pacman Rep. Enrico Pineda gave the green light to House Bill No. 7909 or the Paid Pandemic Leave Law of 2020.
The measure was authored by Representatives Arlene Brosas, Carlos Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, Eufemia Cullamat, France Castro, and Sarah Jane Elago of the Makabayan bloc.
The Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines did not pose any objection to the measure, which gives workers additional benefits to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Authored by the six-man Makabayan bloc, HB 7909 or the “Paid Pandemic Leave Law of 2020” also provides a maximum 60-day leave for workers placed under ‘floating status.” They will be paid 80 percent of their daily pay during leave period.
Also provided in the bill is a guarantee of security of tenure for workers who avail of the leave benefits. They shall also be barred from being demoted by employers.
The additional leaves shall not be deducted from sick or vacation leave credits imposed by Labor Code of the Philippines or provided under the collective bargaining agreement between the labor union and management.