DOLE: Employers cannot make employees pay for their COVID test

Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello warned the private sector against requiring their employees to shoulder their COVID-19 tests before allowing them to report for work.

Bello however said they have yet to receive any report of employees being told to pay for their own tests. 

Some business establishments resumed operations after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) lifted the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and shifted to modified ECQ on May 17.

Bello reminded business establishments to provide shuttle services for their employees as public transportation operations are not yet allowed under MECQ.

He also asked employers to ensure the safety of their employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic and observe health protocols. 

Bello further reminded businesses to abide by holiday pay rules on Monday, the feast of Eid’l Fitr, but said that they can give the pay in installments while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing.