Hazard pay is a form of compensation granted to staff members who have been requested to remain and report for work in duty stations where very hazardous conditions, such as war or active hostilities, prevailed and where the evacuation of families and nonessential staff had taken place.
Public health workers who are facing a lot of dangers as they perform their duties will soon receive additional compensation; after the increase in hazard pay was approved by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial.
In an article that was written by Charina Clarisse Echaluce of Manila Bulletin, it was disclosed that Ubial announced during the 84th Philippine Public Health Association Annual Convention in Manila that she already signed the memorandum circular approving the increase in the hazard pay of public health workers.
“When there is an outbreak in the country, the health workers will run towards the outbreak and will not run away from the outbreak. So, we should give premium to the nature of the work of health workers that are constantly at risk,” Ubial said.
The health chief stressed that denying additional compensations to health workers will be unfair to them. She noted that lives and health of health workers are put at risk as they perform their duties.
“If we don’t give them hazard pay for possible exposures, it is like we are putting them at a disadvantage in terms of ensuring their health and well being,” she added.
Following the DOH chief’s signing of the memorandum circular, the hazard pay will now range from five percent to 20 percent; depending on the salary grade of the health workers.
The health secretary explained that health workers with higher salaries will be allocated five percent hazard pay. Those with lower salaries, on the other hand, shall get the maximum hazard pay of 20 percent of their monthly pay.
--------------------------------------------
Follow us on Facebook
www.thefilipinonurse.net
The filipinonurse.net is always on the lookout for interesting stories about Filipino Nurses worldwide. If you know of a Filipino nurse who should be featured here, please feel free to send us a message via our Facebook Page.
0 Comments