TUCP lauds signing of ‘work from home’ law

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) lauded President Duterte’s signing into law of a measure allowing workers to work from home as an alternative work arrangement.

In a statement, TUCP President Raymond Mendoza said the alternative work scheme will benefit both employers and their employees.

“Those who work from home would be able to save from transport and food costs. Employees would also be able to minimize stress caused by traffic congestion and ageing mass transport system,” he said.

“Employers meanwhile would be able to minimize operational costs and ensure higher productivity from home working employee,” added Mendoza.

Such work scheme, he said 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 eight-hour standard working time. There will also be 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 (IRR) as spearheaded by the Labor department, ” he said.

Mendoza expects the IRR finished by March this year. - By Leslie Ann Aquino