As the community quarantine continues all over Luzon, Philippine conglomerate SM Group has committed to maintaining regular pay for all of its employees, without deductions from their vacation or sick leave entitlements.
The company will also give a US$97.64 (Php5000) additional payment to security staff and janitors, who the company describes as front liners.
Hans Sy, chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime said that in such trying times, “we are in uncharted territory”.
“Let’s be one with each other, united in the spirit of service. Let’s be mindful of our front liners and help with their need to be alert so they can continue to do their best in working for the safety and health of our communities.”
SM earlier said it would waive tenant rentals nationwide as well as support health workers fighting the spread of COVID-19 with $1.95 million (Php100 million) worth of protective equipment, testing kits and supplies.
Meanwhile, Jollibee Foods Corp has announced a $19.52 million (Php1 billion) emergency-response package for employees affected by the quarantine.
“In these times, we know how people are worried about their safety and how to take care of their families. We want to help lessen their worries and we are setting up this fund to be able to help them through this difficult time,” said JFC founder and chairman Tony Tan Caktiong.
The employee package will be given to Jollibee Group’s offices, stores, commissaries, and logistics centres, including the senior citizens and PWDs assigned to stores under the joint employment program with local government.
The same assistance will be provided to partner employers in stores and other locations.
Jollibee employees are scheduled to receive their 13th-month pay by April 30. This is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal to employers to pay the 13th month early, due to the coronavirus crisis.
In addition, affected employees may convert the leave credits in advance and can also file for personal leave as necessary until the situation normalizes.
Jollibee Foods is providing $1.95 million (Php100 million) worth of food to healthcare workers and personnel manning checkpoints around quarantined areas.
