The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has urged the private sector to implement policies and programs to prevent and control tuberculosis in the workplace following reports of rising cases of tuberculosis.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma issued Labor Advisory No. 21, or the Supplemental Guidelines on the implementation of safety and health measures for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in the Workplace, and an integral part of the company’s occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and programs.
The policy underscored that employers and their employees shall have a shared responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of policies to control the spread of TB.
The DOLE chief reiterated that health services in both private and public facilities are available nationwide.
Employers are also enjoined to adopt recommended work arrangements, especially during the infectious phase of the disease.
Under the said advisory, employees undergoing occupational safety and health-related examinations, and who have chest x-ray findings suggestive of or indicating TB may directly consult or be referred by their employers to private or public TB Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) facilities.
The most common symptoms of TB are chronic cough, fever, especially rising in the evening, night sweats, chest pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, and coughing up blood.
Meanwhile, employees requiring further examination relative to their TB-related health needs may access healthcare services and facilities, such as those provided by the PhilHealth Konsulta Package.
In the same advisory, the Department encouraged employers to provide advisable work accommodations and arrangements for employees diagnosed with the disease, particularly during the usual 14-day infectious phase of the treatment process.
Employers are also enjoined to provide paid leave benefits on top of the existing leave credits under the company policy, collective bargaining agreement, the Labor Code of the Philippines, and special laws.
They are also encouraged to adopt flexible work arrangements, re-scheduling of work hours, and other work arrangements, including telecommuting.