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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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, 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 
MJG-2 
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SENATE 
_____________________ S_._N_o_,· ___ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article XIII, Section 14, mandates the State to "protect working women 
by providing safe and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, 
and such other facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to 
realize their full potential in the service of the nation." 
Such provision would be ineffectual if women are not informed of the rights guaranteed'" 
by law, To this date, employers are not required by any law to furnish women pertinent 
information regarding their work conditions. 
This bill seeks to grant and strengthen the right of women to be informed of work 
conditions which affect their health, by providing punishment for employers who will deny such 
right.' 
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• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session 


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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
H) 
AUG -2 1\ 9 :26 
SEN~Fo3 
S,No, ___ _ 
(2-
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
I 
AN ACT 
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GRANTING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO KNOW WORK CONDITIONS AFFECTING THEIR 
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HEALTH 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION L Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "Women's Protection Act" 
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SECTION 2, Declaration of Policy. - The Constitution directs the State to protect 
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working women by providing safe and healthful working conditions, talking into account their 
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maternal functions, and such other facilities and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and 
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enable them to realize their full potential in the service of the nation, To achieve this mandate, it 
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is declared a state policy to grant women the right to know work conditions which affect their 
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health, 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the tern: 
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(A) 
"Employer" includes any person acting in the interest of an employer, 
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directly or indirectly, The term shall not include any labor organization or 
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any of its officers or agents except when acting as an employer; and 
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(B) 
"Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Labor and Employment 
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SECTION 4, Required Injormati,on. -
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(A) 
The prospective employer shall furnish 
111 writing the following 
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information to all women applications: 
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(B) 
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(I) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
The danger which workers are exposed to or might he exposed to; 
The medical and health benefits which workers are entitled to, 
including maternity leave benefits and the availability of family 
planning services; 
• 
The health hazards associated with this work, including hazards 
that may affect their maternal functions; 
The availability of facilities for women which are required under 
Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, also known as the Labor 
Code, Section 132. 
Women already employed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall likewise 
be furnished information required under paragraph (A) of this section. 
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SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Labor and Emplo0iiim(shall ---.. 
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the purpose of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Annual Report. - The Secretary shall submit an armual report to the 
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President. The report shall include the following: 
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(A) 
A list of work hazards, especially those that affect women's maternal 
(B) 
(C) 
functions; 
A list of employers found to have violated any provision of this Act; and 
Rate of compliance of employers with the provisions of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Penalty. - Any violation of Section 4 of this Act shall be punished with a 
• 
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fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PIO,IOOO.OO) but not more than Twenty Thousand 
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Pesos (P20"OOO.OO) or imprisomnent of not less than three (3) months but not more than six (6) 
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months, or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, 
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partnership, or association or entity. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and sUbsisting. 
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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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