Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

471
House Bill No.

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo ‘Bro. Eddie’ C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

AN ACT
ALLOWING THE ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE WORK
ARRANGEMENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 442, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The rapid technological advancement through the years brought not only
changes in various industries, but also the emergence of new challenges in the labor
force. Given the further intricacy of work, adopting flexible work arrangements has
become a necessity.

In @ new research conducted by Flex Strategy Group in 2018, a number of
benefits of remote work flexibility on employees and the workplace were outlined such
as 45 percent of workers communicated better, 60 percent became more productive,
and many said that the arrangement prevented burnout.’

This research is but one of all other studies that attest how workplace flexibility
provides mutually beneficial arrangement of work for both the employees and
employers—employees become efficient in their work obligations given their
respective situations and employers are able to accommodate the uniqueness in the
backgrounds and capacities of its employees without compromising their productivity.

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‘Lat (date last scoene ‘August 12, 2019)


Given the proven benefits of flexible work arrangements, this bill yearns to
institutionalize the adoption of voluntary work arrangements if national emergency
requires or as mutually agreed upon by the employer and the employee. This bill
further emphasizes that the adoption of voluntary work arrangements shall not result
in the diminution of the existing benefits of the employees, and that the existing laws
on the payment of overtime pay, night shift differential, and other benefits shall not be
violated

Through this measure, employers and employees are given greater liberty to
agree on work arrangements that would best fit their needs and preferences.

Hence, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

a
HON. EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA

JOMINGO £.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. pau

Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representatives
Eduardo ‘Bro. Eddie’ C. Villanueva and Domingo C. Rivera

AN ACT
ALLOWING THE ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE WORK
ARRANGEMENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 442, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. A new Article 83-A is hereby inserted in the Philippine Labor Code, as
amended, to read as follows:

“ARTICLE 83-A. ADOPTION OF VOLUNTARY WORK ARRANGEMENT. —
WHEN NATIONAL EMERGENCY REQUIRES OR THE PARTIES MUTUALLY
AGREE, THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE MAY ADOPT A VOLUNTARY
WORK ARRANGEMENT: PROVIDED, THAT HOURS OF WORK SHALL NOT
EXCEED FORTY-EIGHT (48) HOURS A WEEK: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT
IT SHALL NOT RESULT IN THE DIMINUTION OF EXISTING BENEFITS AND
THE RIGHT TO OVERTIME PAY CONSISTENT WITH ARTICLE 87 OF THE
LABOR CODE, NIGHT SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL, AND OTHER BENEFITS SHALL
NOT BE VIOLATED.”

SECTION 2. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Labor and Employment, in
consultation with relevant stakeholders shall promulgate the necessary implementing
rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.


COVOHRON=

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — \f any part of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts not otherwise affected thereby shall remain in
force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, resolutions, orders, or
ordinances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in one newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,