The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is likely to extend to only three months the period for companies to rehire workers displaced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“I also wrote to labor groups (regarding the matter) and I said I will come up with a labor advisory if we will extend. But I said probably only for three months,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a virtual briefing Thursday.

This is shorter than the appeal of the business sector to give them another six months before rehiring their workers who were displaced due to the pandemic.

“I’m waiting for the reaction from Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and also from the labor groups. I will issue probably tomorrow (Friday), if I get the feedback from them today, I will issue the advisory tomorrow. Otherwise, probably on Monday,” he added.

Bello added that employees supported the extension.

“We consulted with the labor (sector) and in fairness with them, they are open to it,” he said.

Asked on what is the objective of the extension, he said it is “to preserve and protect the employment which is the most important”.

The business sector made the appeal to extend the rehiring period for another six months claiming that businesses have yet to recover from the impact of the health crisis. (PNA)