Work from home is
timely, beneficial to workers and business; Good for PWDs, women
By
ALU-TUCP
January 11, 2019
QUEZON CITY – The
country’s largest workers group Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines (TUCP) applauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing
into law a measure allowing workers to work from home as alternative
work arrangement in the light of heavy traffic congestion and poor
mass transport system.
“After pending in both
congress for so many congresses, Duterte’s signing into law allowing
workers to work from home alternative work arrangement finally sets
the clear parameters for both employees and employers who wants to
jointly practice the scheme. This alternative work scheme will
benefit both employers and their employees,” TUCP President Raymond
Mendoza said.
He said those who work
from home would be able save from transport and food costs.
Employees would also be able to minimize stress caused by traffic
congestion and ageing mass transport system.
Employers meanwhile would
be able to minimize operational costs and ensure higher productivity
from home working employee.
This will also widen the
employment horizons for Person with Disabilities, senior citizens
and working mothers who need not to report at work.
According to Mendoza, the
alternative work arrangement will not change the 8-hour standard
working time. There is also no diminution of wages and benefits
including overtime pay, sick leave, maternity leave and all other
benefits that employees have been receiving.
However, these rights must
be ensured in the drafting of its Implementing Rules and Regulations
spearheaded by the Labor department, workers and employers groups
particularly workers' right to form a union and collectively bargain
are complied with.
Mendoza expects the IRR
finished by March this year.
On one hand, the work from
home arrangement is not applicable in other industries particularly
those working manufacturing and services sector.