Philippines highlights measures for Filipino workers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has highlighted initiatives that ensure decent work and social protection of Filipino workers during the 100th anniversary celebration of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

In addressing the emerging challenges in the future of work, chargé d’ affaires and deputy permanent representative to the UN Kira Christianne Azucena said the country focuses on promoting decent work while protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino workers at home and overseas. 

During the event, held recently in New York, Azucena enumerated measures to showcase these initiatives.

These include the Green Jobs Act of 2016, which provides incentives to enterprises generating green jobs; the Telecommuting Act, which allows an employee to work from home or other alternative workplace through the use of telecommunication and/or computer technologies; and the Occupational Safety Health Law, which mandates employers’ strict compliance with workplace safety standards.

The measures, Azucena said, include the Expanded Maternity Leave law, which grants working mothers in both government and private sector 105 days of paid maternity leave credits, seven days of which are transferable to fathers, and an additional 15 days paid leave to single mothers, and the Handbook for OFWs Act of 2018, which requires the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to publish and distribute handbooks containing their rights and responsibilities to overseas Filipino workers.