THE House Committee on Labor and Employment on Wednesday approved the bill instituting a 35-hour working scheme as an alternative work arrangement for employees in the private sector.
Voting unanimously, members of the committee, chaired by 1-Pacman Rep. Enrico Pineda, endorsed for plenary approval House Bill 309.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, principal authors of the bill, said the measure seeks to promote not only higher levels of productivity but also the welfare of workers.
He said the flexibility in workplaces accommodated the special needs of families, mothers and older workers.
“Shorter work hours saved on utility bills, and resulted to fewer cars on the road during rush hours,” he said.
Under the bill, an employer in the private sector may, upon request of its employees, or on a voluntary basis, implement a 35-hour workweek arrangement for its employees upon such terms and conditions as they may mutually agree upon, including arrangements for flexible working time.
In all cases, the bill said employer shall ensure that the employees under a 35-hour working week scheme shall:
Receive a rate of pay, including overtime, night shift differential and other similar monetary benefits, not lower than those provided in applicable laws, and collective bargaining agreements;
Have the right to rest periods as provided for by law;
Have equivalent workload and the same performance standards as those of comparable employees in the company; and
Be provided by the employer with written information on the terms and conditions of the 35-hour workweek scheme adopted, and the corresponding responsibilities of the employees under such arrangement.
Also, the bill said the parties to a 35-hour working week arrangement shall be primarily responsible for its administration. In cases of conflict during implementation of the scheme, the differences shall be resolved under the grievance mechanism of the company.
For companies without grievance machineries or whose mechanisms are inadequate, the grievance shall be referred to the Department of Labor and Employment for resolution, the bill said.
For this purpose, the measure said employers shall keep and maintain, as part of their records, documents proving that a 35-hour working week arrangement was adopted.