Former Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday said working parents who are not able to report for work in order to care for their children at home should be entitled to additional paid leaves and government assistance.
“With schools closed, many working parents are unable to go to work because they need to look after their children. They should be given government aid and entitled to additional paid leaves. This should apply to private and government employees,” Binay said.
“Mental health break for students, ‘ayuda’ and paid leaves for the parents,” he added.
Binay, who is running for senator in the May 9 elections, said the health crisis brought by the coronavirus disease is affecting the financial security and well-being of families, as many parents or family members have either lost their jobs or have seen their earnings decline.
“Most families are cutting back on expenses for food, medicine, and essential needs. And not only working-class families but also middle-class families,” he said.
Binay said these benefits should be part of a comprehensive family care program for workers during the pandemic.
Binay recently proposed giving additional benefits to family members who are caring for their elderly parents.
Binay had said family caregivers should be given additional paid leaves, free medicine and hospital care for their loved ones, or reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Those who are unemployed should be given financial and other assistance, he added.
