Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

House Bill No.0610_

Introduced by HON. RESURRECCION MARRERO-ACOP, MD

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State
shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful working
conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities
and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize
their full potential in the service of the nation.”

With the increasing number of women in the work force, the proposed
measure seeks to empower the working women with the right to access
information from their respective employers as to the working conditions
which may affect their health, including the medical and health benefits due
to them, available facilities for women, health-related training programs, the
presence and identification of occupational health hazards in the work
environment and how to reduce or avoid the same.

In accordance with the State's constitutional mandate to protect the
working women, it has become imperative for Congress to ensure that they
not only receive these entitlements and benefits under our expanding labor
and social legislation, but also have knowledge thereof.

‘In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

Peep

RESURRECCION MARRERO-ACOP, MD
Representative
2m District, Antipolo City


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

House Bitl No. 7610

Introduced by HON. RESURRECCION MARRERO-ACOP, MD

AN ACT
PROVIDING PROTECTION TO WORKING WOMEN BY GRANTING THEM
THE RIGHT TO KNOW WORKING CONDITIONS AFFECTING THEIR
HEALTH AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Working
Women’s Right-to-Know Act of 2019.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall ensure safe and
healthful working conditions for women by considering their maternal
functions, and such other facilities and opportunities to enhance their welfare
and realize their full potential in the service of the nation. To achieve this goal,
women shall be granted the right to know the working conditions directly
affecting their health.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, these terms
are defined as follows:

(a) Employer is any person acting in the interest of an employer,
directly or indirectly, including the government and all its
branches, subdivisions, and instrumentalities, all government-
owned and controlled corporations and institutions, as well as
non-profit private institutions or organizations. The term does
not include labor organizations or any of its officers or agents,
except when acting as an employer; and

(b) Secretary is the Secretary of Labor and Employment.
SEC. 4. Required Information. —

(a) The prospective employer shall furnish in writing the following
information to all women applicants:


1. the medical and health benefits which workers are
entitled to, including, but not limited to, maternity
leave benefits and the availability of family planning
services;

2. the health hazards associated with this work, including
hazards that may affect their maternal functions;

3. the occupational safety and health-related programs,
trainings, medical surveillance and research, screening
tests for reproductive tract diseases, provisions for
technical support/advice, and development of
information, education and communication materials;

4. the availability of facilities for women which are
required under Section 132 of Presidential Decree No.
442, as amended, also known as the Labor Code of the
Philippines; and

5. such other information as to working conditions which
may affect women's health.

(b) Women already employed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall
likewise be informed as required under paragraph (a) of this
section.

SEC. 5. Annual Report. — The Secretary shall submit an annual report
to the President. The Report shall include:

(a) A list of work hazards, especially those that affect women’s
maternal functions;

(b) A list of employers found to have violated any provisions of this
Act; and

(c)_ Rate of compliance of employers with the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Penalties. — Any person violating any of the provisions of
Section 4 of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less than twenty
thousand pesos (Php 20,000.00) but not more than thirty thousand pesos
(Php 30,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more
than twelve (12) months, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion
of the court.

If the offense is committed by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership,
association or any other entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty
officer or officers of such corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association or
entity.

SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall promulgate within sixty (60) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the
provisions hereof.


SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act or any
part hereof be declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provision not
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, rules and regulations
or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,