Senate bill seeks rest periods for sales ladies

Senator-elect Nancy Binay. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Neophyte  Senator Maria Lourdes “Nancy”  Binay has filed a bill  seeking to grant  sales ladies in malls and similar establishments 15 minutes  rest periods for every two hours of “uninterrupted and continuous  duty.”

At present, Section 132 (A) of the Labor Code only provides for  “seats proper for women” which they could  use “when they are free from work and during work hours, provided they can perform their duties in this position without detriment to efficiency.”

Binay filed her proposed measure Monday  in the Senate, amending the specific provision to further grant the  female employees  assigned in sales 15 minutes rest  periods every after two hours of continuous  work.

The proposed 15-minute rest period is  in addition  to the meal  breaks now being  enjoyed  by  the sales clerks.

“Provided further that women assigned in malls, department  stores, stalls and similar establishments whose assigned tasks require them to be in a standing position while attending to customers and  clients shall, in addition to their meal breaks, be allowed 15 minutes rest periods for every two hours of uninterrupted and continuous  duty,” the  bill said.

Binay, in filing  the bill, noted that “equality  for both men and women is a vital aspect for the development of a nation.”

“The laws of nature, however, limit women in terms of physical condition, strength, capacity and attributes. Admittedly, the male specie is sturdier, more tolerant when put up against punishing demands of physical employment,” she said.

“This situation is evident in shopping malls, department stores and contractor stalls that require their sales person to suffer work in standing position for long periods of time.”

Hence, the need for the immediate  passage of the  proposed bill, Binay added.

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