Days since an enhanced community quarantine was placed in Luzon amid the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing numerous accounts of unfair labor practices among media workers—part of the long list of frontliners in this health crisis.
Twitter user ‘Editors of Manila’ (@edsMNL) compiled some of the anecdotes from journalists and employees from different media companies. These stories reflect the reality faced by some media workers as they struggle through the quarantine.
One story from a worker in GMA Public Affairs says the department is enforcing a “no work no pay” policy. They said bosses already asked for a list of episodes that could be replayed in case they could not produce anymore. For the lucky few who could still shoot episodes and get paid, the company offered to pick them up from home, even those outside Metro Manila.
On Saturday (March 21), GMA Network also confirmed one of its talents tested positive for COVID-19 and is in the hospital receiving treatment. Although the network has already undertaken measures to protect other workers in the company premises, GMA Network is clearly distancing itself from accountability over the sick talent’s well-being, even calling the person merely a “freelance production talent”. Such a term has already been debunked by the Talents Association of GMA Network (TAG), detailing how talents in the company are supposed to be regular employees considering the “necessary and desirable” work they do for the business. Also, no mention was made over any health benefits the talent will receive, because talents in the network have none at all.
(READ: [Analysis] PART 1: GMA’s arguments why talents are not regular employees)
(READ: [Analysis] PART 2: GMA’s arguments why talents are not regular employees)
In ABS-CBN, one employee shares they have already been working from home since the start of the Luzon-wide quarantine. They added that those who have to go to the office are provided with point-to-point service vans. There is also compensation for those affected by cancelled programs, premium pay for those on field or inside company premises, and full coverage for hospitalization and medical expenses for both regular and non-regular workers.
Another also said they are allowed to bring company-owned computers at home. They also claim free accommodation for those who fear staying at home and possibly infecting their loved ones. There’s cash advance for those who need money earlier.
TV5 President and CEO Robert Galang confirmed that an employee based in their facility in Novaliches, Quezon City passed away on Sunday (March 22). In a ‘strictly confidential’ message to employees that we obtained, Galang said that “The cause of death was a heart attack, although he had been previously diagnosed with pneumonia. No clinical test has been made to definitely relate his passing to COVID-19.”
It is unclear if the said employee died while performing his duties for the company.
Galang however said that TV5 is extending support and assistance to the family of the deceased employee, and that they are undertaking precautionary measures and implementing DOH-aligned protocols to ensure the safety of their employees.
A worker from One Mega Group is also calling for help. The company produces print magazines (MEGA, Lifestyle Asia, BluPrint, Travel Now), e-magazine (www.onemega.com), video and native content (Mega Fashion Crew, MakingMEGA documentary series). According to the anonymous tip, they have to work just to get pay. And if their workload is not sufficient for the day, they are forced to take a leave.
Another anonymous tipster said that in an unnamed radio station, employees are given free food, vaccine, vitamins, masks, and alcohol. They are also provided free transportation going to and from work/home. Late policy is also lifted.
‘Editors of Manila’ observed that most of the positive information they get are from ABS-CBN and Rappler. However, it must be noted that these anecdotes are just perspectives from a small percentage of the workforce. Though these are primarily anonymous tips, they somehow give a picture as to the challenges media frontliners are also experiencing during these trying times.
This page will be updated as we get more stories. For the complete Twitter thread, visit this link: https://twitter.com/edsMNL/status/1240183865487945728
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