Workplace & Employment

Follow Our Latest COVID-19 Updates

PHILIPPINES: DTI and DOLE Amend Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

On 29 November 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry (“DTI”) and the Department of Labor and Employment (“DOLE”) issued Advisory No. 20-03 Series of 2020 which amended the DTI-DOLE Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2020-04-A. The amendments include the following:

1. Shuttle services for employees of establishments with total assets of Php100,000,000 located at special economic zones and other areas under the Investment Promotions Agency may adopt the following: (i) “one seat apart” arrangement; or (ii) full seating capacity with the necessary dividers in place. 
2. Information on contact tracing form shall be limited to the name and contact number of customers, clients, examinees, and visitors.

PHILIPPINES: DTI and DOLE issue Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19

On 14 August 2020, the Department of Trade and Industry ("DTI") and the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") released Joint Memorandum Circular No. 20-04 or the Supplemental Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19 ("Supplemental Guidelines"). This issuance shall apply to all private establishments, regardless of economic activity, including those located inside special economic zones and under the jurisdiction of Investment Promotion Agencies. 

The Supplemental Guidelines introduce new measures intended to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace.

PHILIPPINES: DOLE Issues Guidelines on Processes and Proceedings Before the Labor Offices in Areas Under Community Quarantine

On 5 May 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") issued DOLE Department Order No. 213 series of 2020 which suspended the reglementary periods to file pleadings, motions, and other actions, and interrupted the prescriptive periods for the commencement of actions for areas placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine ("ECQ") and General Community Quarantine ("GCQ"). However, given the extension of community quarantine measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, and in the interest of labor, DOLE issued Department Order No. 214 series of 2020 which provides for the lifting of the suspension of the reglementary periods and interruption of prescriptive period for areas placed under community quarantine excluding places under ECQ, MECQ, and total lockdown.

PHILIPPINES: DOLE & BI Resume Operations under General Community Quarantine

On 1 June 2020, the Enhanced Community Quarantine ("ECQ") was lifted and Metro Manila was placed under General Community Quarantine ("GCQ") until 15 June 2020.

On 29 May 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment ("DOLE") announced that under the GCQ, it will resume the processing of all Alien Employment Permit ("AEP")-related applications through its newly launched online AEP portal. AEPs which expired during the ECQ may be renewed within 45 working days after the lifting of the community quarantine without penalty. As part of its COVID-19 mitigation and containment efforts, DOLE issued its guidelines on the online submission of documentary requirements for AEP applications.

 On 1 June 2020, the Bureau of Immigration ("BI") also lifted the previous suspension of all visa-related transactions, including the filing for the application or extension of 9(a) Visa, 9(g) Visa, and visa downgrading. However, under the GCQ, all applicants are required to reserve an appointment online for all visa-related transactions; otherwise, they will not be allowed to enter the BI premises.

PHILIPPINES: DOLE and DTI Issue Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19 for Private Establishments Allowed to Operate during the ECQ and GCQ

The whole of Luzon has been under an Enhanced Community Quarantine ("ECQ") since 17 March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines.  On 30 April  2020, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 112 which approved the extension -- until 15 May 2020 -- of the ECQ over Metro Manila, Central Luzon (except Aurora), CALABARZON (comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and other high-risk provinces.  Moderate and low-risk provinces, meanwhile, were placed under a less-stringent General Community Quarantine ("GCQ") until 15 May 2020.   

On 30 April 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued interim guidelines to assist private institutions that are allowed to operate during the ECQ and GCQ in developing the minimum health protocols and standards in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHILIPPINES: DOLE Suspends Alien Employment Permit Processing and Allows Deferment of Payment of Holiday Pay for April 2020

In light of the enhanced community quarantine ("ECQ") implemented in the Luzon Region due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) suspended the processing and issuance of alien employment permits (AEP) and allowed employers to defer the payment of holiday pay to employees.  The ECQ was implemented on 16 March 2020 and would be in effect until 30 April 2020.  On 24 April 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte announced another extension of the ECQ in high-risk areas which include Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the CALABARZON Region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), the island of Cebu, the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao City, among other areas until 15 May 2020.