The Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) and its union-members nationwide have expressed their deep concern and desperation over Senate Bill No. 2421 or the proposed COVID-19 Benefits and Allowances for Health Workers Act of 2022.
AHW strongly objected to Section 5 of the bill which classifies health workers depending on their COVID-risk exposure.
“AHW recognizes the occupational hazards faced by all healthcare workers in the context of COVID-19 response in various settings. AHW’s objection on the said bill is based on the following reasons — COVID-19 is airborne and aerosol transmission of the virus should not be ignored in all areas of the hospitals and health facilities,” the group said
“Data showed that there are more COVID-19 infections among health workers assigned in non-COVID areas than in the COVID areas.”
“The risk exposure classification is divisive, unfairly treats, and discriminates the health workers thereby abandoning everyone’s value and safety. As health workers are at the forefront battling COVID-19,
their contribution is greatly valued because they put their health and lives to high risk. In waging the war against COVID-19, there is no moderate and low risk as every health worker’s life matters,” the group added.
The Senate bill, the workers said, also seeks to completely abolish COVID-19 benefits such as the special risk allowance (SRA), active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and meal, accommodation and transportation (MAT) allowance.
“These benefits are of great importance and help to all health workers as our salaries are insufficient to meet the basic needs especially now that prices of commodities and transportation are soaring,” the group said.