Doubled health coverage for fired workers urged

CEBU, Philippines - The militant labor party Partido ng Manggagawa is demanding that the government extend to at least six months the health coverage for retrenched workers.

PM-Cebu chairman Greg Janginon said that the three-month extension recently announced by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. may not be enough to secure the health needs of a worker’s family.

Janginon said that of the major consequences of job loss to a worker is the inability to access healthcare he or she previously enjoyed during employment. Under the rules, PhilHealth coverage is good only as long as a member is employed.

He explained that the time lag before a worker finds another job is long —an average of 12 months, according to a study— especially if a displaced worker surpasses the “age limit” required for a new job.

“A longer extension of health coverage is necessary to protect the worker and his family during this transition. Loss of income as a consequence of job loss falls heavy on workers and the termination of their PhilHealth coverage undermines their health security, especially on women and children,” said Janginon in a statement sent to The FREEMAN.

He added that with the loss of work-related health insurance, laid-off workers cannot afford the high cost of drugs and healthcare.

Janginon further said that it is also during hard times health problems arise as displaced workers grapple with stress and other problems that affect their well-being.

The labor group said the state has an obligation to secure the health needs of its people with or without work, adding that universal healthcare is a right and should not be treated as collateral damage resulting from job loss. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)