26 which granted hazard pay to government personnel who physically report for work during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is “deceptive” and “divisive,” a group of health workers said. In a statement dated June 5, the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) said the hazard pay provided by the administrative order is not an added benefit to health workers who regularly receive the same benefit. “In the midst of a pandemic and health crisis, where health workers are being put at the forefront of the battle against an unseen and deadly disease, the DOH and the Duterte administration have even managed to deceive, divide and insult health workers,” said AHW national president Robert Mendoza. Public health workers, policemen and soldiers, and others mandated to receive hazard pay under the law, however, will still receive such benefit, according to Lizada. “We call on our fellow health workers to unite, expose and denounce the COVID-19 hazard pay and let us call for an equal and significant amount of hazard pay for all health workers both in public and private hospitals and other health facilities,” urged Mendoza.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 10, 2020 07:10 UTC