Bill seeks weeklong leave for employees with ailing kin

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a bill granting  eligible employees a  weeklong leave  every year to allow them  to   care for family members  who have serious   health conditions.

In filing Senate Bill 402 known as “An act granting family leave to eligible employees,” Santiago said, “It is important for the development of the family unit that its members should be able to participate in the rearing and taking care of members who have serious health conditions.”

“However, as the present economic crisis continue to inflate the prices of our basic commodities,  family members are compelled to work and leave their responsibility of family caretaking to  other people,” she said.

Santiago then pushed for the passage of her bill that would entitle every eligible employee “to take reasonable leave that will allow him or  her to care for his or her spouse, ascendant, or descendant who has serious health condition  without fear of losing his or her job.”

The bill, she said, will also promote both the stability and economic security of the family as well as the national interest in preserving family integrity.

Under the proposed measure, an eligible employee will be entitled to “seven days of leave during any 12 month period in order to care for the spouse,  descendant, or ascendant of the employee, if such spouse, ascendant, or descendant has a serious health condition.”

“The employee shall provide his or her employer a medical certification from   the patient’s attending doctor attesting to such serious health condition,” it said.

A fine not more than P20,000 or an imprisonment of not less than  30 days nor more than 60 days  awaits  any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or  entity found violating the proposed  bill.