DOLE: 630k workers displaced by COVID-19

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reports that over 630,000 Filipino workers have been displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III stated that these displacements are due to temporary closures or flexible work arrangements implemented by 15,213 establishments.

Of the displaced workers, 169,232 are from the informal sector.

DOLE's CAMP program provides a one-time P5,000 financial aid to employees of companies adopting flexible work arrangements or temporary closures.

Secretary Bello urged private sector employers to submit their reports to DOLE to facilitate the release of CAMP assistance to their workers.

He clarified that CAMP is separate from the Emergency Subsidy Program (ESP) under the Bayanihan to Heal As One law, which offers longer-term cash and non-cash aid.

DOLE is also administering the TUPAD program, offering 10 days of emergency employment at minimum wage to informal sector workers.

The department has already disbursed P160 million and is working to expedite the release of assistance to affected workers.