Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) – The bill expanding the prohibited acts of discrimination against women in the workplace hurdled the House of Representatives on third and final reading on Monday.
Lawmakers voted 226-0 in approving House Bill No. 7722, which amends the Labor Code of the Philippines.
The measure aims to further strengthen the safeguards against discrimination of women in the workplace due to their sex and characteristics of their sex.
Considered as an act of discrimination under the amended measure is favoring a male employee over a female worker in assignment, promotion, training opportunities, and study and scholarship grants solely on account of their sex or characteristics.
Also prohibited under the bill is favoring a male worker over a female employee in dismissal of personnel or the application of the employer’s retrenchment policy solely because to their sex or characteristics.
Denying a female employee of her employment or other statutory benefits by reason of her sex is also listed as a prohibited discriminatory act against women in the bill.
Violators will face a penalty of not less than ₱50,000 but not more than ₱200,000 and/or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than two years.
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas welcomed the Congress’ approval of the bill as it will further promote gender equality in the workplace.
“This is a long overdue measure that shall flesh out our commitments to international statutes on gender equality at work,” Brosas said in her manifestation.
Around 46 percent of the country’s total labor force are women, the lowest female labor force participation rate in Southeast Asia according to a 2018 study by the International Labor Organization.
