INDUSTRY groups have asked legislators to reconsider their move to institute guidelines for the new normal, as this may just tie the hands of both the government and the private sector in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a letter to Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano, industry groups said they oppose the passage of House Bill (HB) 6623, or “The New Normal for the Workplace and Public Spaces Act of 2020.” The measure is now substituted by HB 6864, which the House of Representatives approved in August.
As much as they support the objective of HB 6623, they pointed out “there are other important matters that should be taken into account before the passage of the said bill.”
Likewise, industry groups said numerous guidelines exist mandating the practice of minimum health standards in workplaces and public spaces. They said these regulations take the form of executive orders, department orders, labor advisories, among others, issued by state agencies from the local to the national.
Conflicting, confusing
Business owners, including foreigners, find these policies conflicting and confusing, as most of their provisions either counter or repeat the contents of another guideline.
European investors, for instance, listed unclear government policies and regulations among the reasons their operations here are struggling under Covid-19, according to a survey by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. In general, around 75 percent of them said they are “unsatisfied” with the state’s response to the pandemic.
The industry groups concluded there should be room for flexibility and adjustment in case new discoveries are made on Covid-19 and policies should be changed therefore.
“As such, we believe that the passage of the bill into law shall only limit government acts rather than being able to address the issue at hand freely and legally,” their letter read. “Once a bill is enacted into law, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for government agencies to address issues that are beyond the ambit of the provisions of law.”
The letter dated August 24 was signed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.
HB 6864 was passed by the House on August 10 and is now awaiting action from the Senate. If passed into law, the bill will institutionalize the practice of health and safety protocols against transmittable diseases, such as wearing face mask, staying one feet apart and recording body temperature before entering an enclosed space.
Moreover, the measure will continue to prohibit public gatherings, operation of motorcycle taxis and conduct of face-to-face classes, all supposedly in the name of containing the virus.
The proposed law will also mandate all private firms to reduce the number of employees going to the workplace by 50 percent, compelling business operations, whatever their industry is, to adapt flexible working arrangements. Should the bill be signed into law this year, it will expire in 2023 as indicated in its three-year sunset clause.
Image credits: Roy Domingo