Celebrating Labor Day for the Common Employee
Last year, we celebrated labor day in commemorating our frontliners in the fight against COVID-19. While we face the same health crisis today, let us not forget the heroes who fought on the sidelines. During the earlier part of the pandemic, many workers fought the fear of uncertainty while many went unemployed. Among these workers are the “common” workers. Construction workers, drivers, security guards, crew members, and the likes are the common employee essential for the economy to function. And come the latter part of the pandemic, these common employees placed their lives at risk by going back to work unvaccinated.
To commemorate this day, let us all educate ourselves on some worker rights in the country.
Worker’s Rights
Weekly Rest Day
Every employee is entitled to a minimum of 24 consecutive hours of rest day every week. Many Filipino employers often overlook this law, especially when it comes to their kasambahay or domestic helpers.
Safe Working Conditions
Employees are entitled to safe working conditions. Under RA 11058, workplaces should pass the health standards. If the workplace is deemed unsafe, then employers should inform workers of all types of hazards. The employees also have the option to turn down work if the workplace is unsafe.
Holiday Pay
Employees are entitled to holiday pays. This holiday pay would differ whether it is a special non-working holiday or a regular holiday. If it is a special non-working holiday, then the “no work, no pay” policy applies. Although, working on a special holiday means having an additional 30 percent added to your daily wage. While for a regular holiday, you get to be paid whether or not you work that day. But of course, working on a regular holiday means double pay.
For more than a hundred years, people have struggled with unjust work conditions and barely minimum compensations. Now that labor laws protect workers, a new workplace hazard came into shape. COVID-19 turned the everyday commute to work into a battlefield for the common worker. “Common” as they might seem, but their spirits are surely far from the ordinary.
