The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill which seeks to expand the coverage of prohibited discriminatory acts against women.
Voting 197-0 without abstention, The House approved House Bill 6760 which would further strengthen the protection of women employees in the workplace.
The bill, principally authored by Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar (Party-list, DIWA) seeks to amend for the purpose, Presidential Decree (PD) No. 442, as amended, also known as the “Labor Code of the Philippines”.
Under the bill, favoring a male employee over a female employee with respect to dismissal of personnel or the application of any retrenchment policy of the employer solely on account of their sex is an act of discrimination against women.
Favoring a male employee over a female employee with respect to dismissal of personnel or the application of any retrenchment policy of the employer solely on account of their sex is an act of discrimination against women.
Likewise, it is discriminatory against women to favor a male employee over a female employee with respect to promotion, assignment, training opportunities, study and scholarship grants solely on account of their sex.
Under the bill, it is discriminatory against women to favor a male employee over a female employee with respect to promotion, assignment, training opportunities, study and scholarship grants solely on account of their sex.
The bill provides that it shall be unlawful for any employer to deny any woman the employment benefits provided under the laws by reason of her sex.
In addition to other penalties as may be provided by law, the proposal imposes the penalties of a fine of P50,000 to P200,000 or imprisonment of three months to three years, or both, at the discretion of the court to any employer who is found guilty of committing any of the prohibited acts.
The institution of any criminal action shall not bar the aggrieved employee from filing an entirely separate and distinct action for money claims which may include claims for damages and other affirmative reliefs.
Aside from the prescribed penalty, any alien found guilty shall be immediately deported upon completion of service of sentence.
On the other hand, any employee or person who willfully abets or aids in the commission of the prohibited acts or who causes the commission of any such acts by another shall be liable in the same manner as the employer.
For offenses committed by a corporation, trust, partnership, firm, association or entity, the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation, firm, trust, association, partnership or entity.
