Dole: Children in entertainment industry must work from home

THE Department of Labor and Employment Central Visayas (Dole 7) has pushed the workfrom-home setup for children who are below 15 years old and working in public entertainment and information industry.

Dole 7 Director Siaton Salome said this is to ensure the children’s safety and welfare.

She noted that while children are mandated to stay at home during the community quarantine, some of them work in public entertainment and information.

“There are certain conditions that must be religiously abided by especially that the endeavor involves children who are very vulnerable,” she said.

Citing Labor Advisory No. 23, Series of 2020, Siaton reminded all employers whose business is allowed to operate during the community quarantine period, to ensure that a child’s performance of assigned tasks such as photo shoots or audio-video recordings, are done in the child’s home supervised by the child’s adult family members.

Representatives of the employer or the production staff may be allowed to go to the child’s residence only when needed.

She said one of the important conditions to consider by employers is to secure a Working Child Permit from the Dole prior to engaging the child for work.

Dole 7 has suspended the issuance of Working Child Permits since Cebu City is still under enhanced community quarantine.

Salome said: “This is an advance information to employers in the business once they’re allowed to operate. What is important is they should put in mind the child’s safety and welfare as top priority as all of us are still battling the pandemic.”

Costumes, props and other materials needed in the production must be thoroughly disinfected, she continued.

For details and queries regarding the application forms and other documentary requirements, employers are encouraged to call the Dole 7 Technical Support Services DivisionEmployment Workers’ Welfare at (032) 2366795 or email at tssdewwdole72018@gmail.com.