To facilitate the treatment of employees diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reiterated that health services in both private and public facilities are available nationwide.
Employers are also enjoined to adopt recommended work arrangements, especially during the infectious phase of the disease.
Labor Advisory No. 21, Series of 2023, or the Supplemental Guidelines on the Implementation of Safety and Health Measures for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in the Workplace, signed by DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma on September 15, underscored that “employers and their employees shall have a shared responsibility to ensure the effective implementation of policies and programs in the prevention and control of tuberculosis in the workplace.”
Under the said advisory, employees undergoing occupational safety and health-related examinations, and who have chest x-ray findings suggestive of or indicating TB may directly consult or be referred by their employers to private or public TB Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) facilities.
Meanwhile, employees requiring further examination relative to their TB-related health needs may access healthcare services and facilities, such as those provided by the PhilHealth Konsulta Package.
In the same advisory, the Department encouraged employers to provide advisable work accommodations and arrangements for employees diagnosed with the disease, particularly during the usual 14-day infectious phase of the treatment process.
Employers are also enjoined to provide paid leave benefits on top of the existing leave credits under the company policy, collective bargaining agreement, the Labor Code of the Philippines, and special laws.
They are also encouraged to adopt flexible work arrangements, re-scheduling of work hours, and other work arrangements, including telecommuting.
To ensure confidentiality, the labor department reiterated that only concerned employees shall handle medical records following the Data Privacy Act to prevent unauthorized access, accidental or unlawful destruction, alteration, disclosure, and other unlawful processing.
Lastly, the DOLE reminded employers to report diagnosed cases of TB, as well as their respective Annual Medical Report Form indicating the number of employees who underwent chest X-rays to the DOLE Regional/Provincial/Field Office that has jurisdiction over their workplace.
The DOLE initially issued Department Order No. 73-05 in 2005 to provide guidelines for the implementation of policy and programs on TB prevention and control in the workplace.
