Workers who got sick with COVID-19 can apply for compensation from the government, after the disease was classified as a a "compensable work-related disease," labor officials said.
Subject to President Rodrigo Duterte's approval, COVID patients who are employed can avail of up to P30,000 from the Employees Compensation Commission, said Department of Labor of Employment Director Rolly Francia.
Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III first announced the inclusion of COVID-19 in the list of compensable work-related diseases, which is now up to 33. It also includes infections, poisoning, different cancer types, and cardiovascular diseases.
Who are eligible?
Infected workers from the private or public sector may apply for the Employees' Compensation (EC) claim.
"Lahat po ng natamaan ng COVID-19 ay puwedeng mag-apply ng EC benefit sa SSS kung sila ay private sector worker o kaya sa GSIS," ECC Executive Diretor Stella Zipagan-Banawis told the public forum Laging Handa on Thursday.
Employees who contracted the disease in the workplace or while traveling to and from work are also eligible. However, the ECC has yet to determine if those working from home could also file claims.
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Employers, even those who fail to pay their workers contributions, should help their COVID-stricken employees file for the claim at any SSS or GSIS branches.
"Ang employees' compensation po ay covered ang worker from the first day of work. Kung may nangyari po sa kanya sa first day of work n'ya at 'di pa siya minember ng kanyang employer sa SSS o GSIS... ay hindi ibig sabihin ay hindi na kayo makakakuha ng EC benefit. Kung hindi naman nakabayad ang employer ninyo kahit matagal na kayong empleyado doon, it will not prejudice your EC benefits po."
Here's how to file for the EC or employee compensation claim for sickness:
- Secure the following requirements:
- Certificate of employment
- EC logbook with certified true copies of documents that prove illness
- Medical findings from the attending physician or hospital - If sick, secure the following as well (steps vary in case of accident or death)
- Pre-employment medical check-up and fit-to-work certificate upon employment
- Medical records from employer - Submit the requirements to the nearest SSS office
- Wait for the SSS approval, if declined, you can file an appeal with the ECC