ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment 9 recently reminded employers to submit establishment report forms pursuant to Labor Advisory No, 17-A.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said, “Employers must accomplish RKS Form 5 of 2020 if they are adopting Flexible Work Arrangements or if they are to temporarily or permanently close their establishment or retrench/reduce their workforce.”

He also added that employers whose business operations are allowed to operate or resume must observe the minimum health standards at all times pursuant to the DOLE-DTI Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19.

To preserve employment of workers, employers may adopt work-from-home arrangements as opposed to terminating their employees. Any of the following may be adopted: Transfer of employees to another branch or outlet of the same employer or to another position or function, reduction of normal workdays per day or week and by job rotation.

Establishments may also opt to partially close some units or departments while other units remain open.

DOLE 9 advises that these schemes are temporary in nature and shall be adopted as long as the public health crisis exist.

“We enjoin all employers to report the alternative working schemes adopted thru our online portal – www.dole9portal.com/oshmonitoring – where they may download and submit the forms,” Director Buenafe added. END/KCG