MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group of Companies yesterday assured all of its employees of their regular compensation as well as the extension of an emergency financial assistance to its frontliners, security guards and janitorial staff during the Luzon-wide community quarantine.
In a statement, SM said all employees will receive their regularly scheduled salaries during the enhanced community quarantine period without deductions made against their vacation and sick leaves.
In addition, the company’s frontliners, who comprise the skeletal workforce, will be provided with premium pay.
All security guards and janitorial staff will receive P5,000 in financial assistance during the period.
SM has also been undertaking measures to protect the safety and welfare of its frontline personnel with protective gear, meals and transportation whenever possible.
“In these trying times, we are in unchartered territories. Let’s be one with each other, united in the spirit of service. Let’s be mindful of our frontliners 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,” said Hans Sy on behalf of the Sy family, the controlling owners of the SM Group.
This financial assistance is another commitment to fighting the negative effects of COVID-19. SM said earlier it would waive tenant rentals nationwide as well as support health workers as they actively fight the spread of COVID-19 with P100 million worth of protective equipment, testing kits and supplies.
Jollibee Foods Corp., meanwhile, announced a P1-billion emergency response package for its employees in need of financial support to cope with the community quarantine as a result of the coronavirus disease.
“In these times, we know how people are worrying 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 covers all work teams of Jollibee Group’s offices, stores, commissaries, and logistics centers, including the senior citizens and PWDs assigned to stores under the joint employment program with local government units.
JFC will also provide the same assistance to its partner employers in the stores and other sites to provide financial support to their respective employees during this time.
Employees will also receive their 13th month pay by April 30. Affected employees can also convert their leave credits in advance and may file for personal leaves when necessary until the situation normalizes, JFC said.
JFC is donating Ph100 Million worth of food from its brands to healthcare workers and on-ground checkpoint personnel who are at the frontlines.