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MANILA, Philippines — Cotabato Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Santos has filed a bill seeking flexible work hours for pregnant and postnatal workers who would be able to continue being productive at work while seeing to their responsibilities at home.
Santos filed House Bill (HB) No. 8471, or the proposed Pregnant Women’s Welfare Act which would require all public and private employers to offer flexible working arrangements, including work-from-home options, to their pregnant employees and those who just gave birth.
The draft measure includes a penal provision that would punish an employer’s noncompliance with fines from P20,000 to P200,000, jail time of up to six months, and business permit nonrenewal.
“Pregnancy is a delicate situation for women. Nevertheless, it is usually common in the Philippines for pregnant and postnatal mothers to continue working outside of their homes,” Santos said.
She cited the January 2021 Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority which showed female participation at 46.9 percent or around 17.46 million.
“In order to support pregnant women and postnatal mothers, it is imperative upon the State to enact legislation that recognizes their needs in the workplace.
Moreover, studies have shown that accommodations for pregnant employees also have positive impacts to overall work productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve employee satisfaction and retention,” Santos pointed out.
The flexible work arrangements mandated under HB 8471 aim to “grant pregnant employees the flexibility to adjust their time-in and time-out schedules at the workplace, or even work remotely from their homes, within the framework of relevant and mutually agreed-upon guidelines.”
‘Crucial phase of motherhood’
“By enacting this legislation, we empower pregnant women and postnatal mothers to effectively balance the responsibilities of their professional commitments with the demands of their family life, particularly this crucial phase of motherhood,” the lawmaker said.
HB 8471 provides the following:
“The employer, public or private, shall provide for a flexible work arrangement and/or a work-from-home program for pregnant women.
“This benefit shall extend to postnatal mothers, at least one year from the date of childbirth. Such arrangement shall provide that pregnant women should be allowed to work remotely or take advantage of the applicable flexible work arrangement to enable them to undergo a medical checkup related to their pregnancy, or to any ailment or affliction she may be suffering from as a result of her pregnancy.”
The flexible work arrangement should be agreed upon by the pregnant or postnatal worker, should not affect their individual and company productivity, and should not be less than the set minimum labor standards on compensable work hours, minimum number of work hours, overtime, rest days, and leave benefits.