Thousands of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) health workers will finally receive their hazard pay and allowances which have been stalled for about seven months since the start of the pandemic.
The All UP (University of the Philippines) Workers Union-Manila made the announcement through a statement and said that their recent picket and Black Friday protest in November were “successful” as they became “the key” to release the workers’ stalled benefits.
“Nagpupunyagi tayo sa All UP Workers Union-Manila sa tagumpay na ito. Hindi maitatanggi na ang 2 matagumpay na pagkilos ay naging susi upang matugunan ang kakulangan sa pondo para sa mga benepisyo na ito, at gayundin ay mabigyan ng atensyon ang di katanggap-tanggap na pagkaka-antala ng pagbibigay ng mga benepisyong ito,” the group said in a statement.
They also said that “because of the activities, the government was urged to answer and give attention to the complaints” of the health workers.
Unreimbursed PhilHealth funds and “unfavorable” action from the Department of Budget and Management had led to the stalled release of hazard pay and Special Risk Allowance of PGH health workers, their director, Gerardo Legaspi, said in a recent letter.
According to the group’s communication officer, Jet Garcia, about 4,275 health workers would be affected if the management was not able to act on and address their concern. (Joseph Pedrajas)
