PRIMER ON REPUBLIC ACT NO.

10151
ARTS. 130 and 131 of the LABOR CODE REPEALED Republic Act No. 10151 repeals Articles 130 and 131 of the Labor Code, which prohibit women from working at night. Instead of the blanket prohibition, the new law limits the ban to pregnant women and nursing mothers. Thus, under the newly inserted Article 158 of the Labor Code, only pregnant women and nursing mothers are not allowed to work at night. They may be allowed to work at night only if: a. certified by a competent physician other than the company physician; and b. in the case of pregnant women, the physician specifies the period of pregnancy that they can safely work. NEW CHAPTER on the EMPLOYMENT of NIGHT WORKERS Republic Act No. 10151 adds a new chapter to Book III, Title III of the Labor Code. The new chapter, which shall now constitute Articles 154 to 161 of the Labor Code, specifically regulates the employment of night workers. practicable, if found unfit for night work due to health reasons [Article 157]. If the same be not practicable, these workers shall be granted the same benefits as other workers who are unable to work, or to secure employment during such period. Furthermore, a night worker certified as temporarily unfit for night work shall be given the same protection against dismissal or notice of dismissal as other workers who are prevented from working for reasons of health. 3. Right to safe and working conditions [Article 156] Thus, employers are required to provide the following, subject exceptions as may be provided by the DOLE a. suitable first-aid facilities b. sleeping or resting quarters in the establishment c. transportation from the work premises to the nearest point of their residence 4. Right of pregnant women to alternatives to night work during the following periods: [Article 158] a. before and after child birth for at least 16 weeks, to be divided between the time before and after child birth b. for additional periods, in respect of which a medical certificate is produced stating that said additional periods are necessary for the health of the mother or child: during pregnancy during a specified time beyond the period, after childbirth as allowed above, the length of which shall be determined by the DOLE after consulting the labor organizations and employers. The alternatives referred to may include transfer to day work where this is possible, the provision of social security benefits or an extension of maternity leave. 5. Right of pregnant women against dismissals and diminution of benefits on account of pregnancy, child birth, and childcare responsibilities [Article 158]

Coverage
The provisions of the new chapter shall cover employees who work at night (which includes the period of 12 MN to 5 AM) for a period not less than 7 consecutive hours. Those employed in agriculture, stock raising, fishing, maritime transport and inland navigation shall not be covered by the new chapter.

Rights of Night Workers

1. Right to free health assessment during the following periods: [Article 155] a. before taking up an assignment as a night worker b. at regular intervals c. if they experience health problems during such assignment which are not caused by factors other than the performance of night work Right to be transferred to a similar job which they are fit to work, whenever

2.

full text of law available at http://www.gov.ph/2011/06/21/republic-act-no-1015/

PRIMER ON REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10151

6. Right to be regularly consulted on the following: [Article 161]: a. schedules and the forms of organization of night work that are best adapted to the esfatablishment and its personnel b. the occupational health measures and social services

Right of Regular Workers to be consulted before introduction of Night Work

The employer is required to consult the workers representatives/labor organizations concerned, before introducing work schedules requiring the services of night workers, on the details of such schedules and the forms of organization of night work that are best adapted to the establishment and its personnel, as well as on the occupational health measures and social services which are required. [Article 161] RENUMBERING PROVISIONS 1. OF LABOR CODE

Article 132 (Facilities for Women) shall become Article 130; Article 133 (Maternity Leave Benefits) shall become Article 131; and so on and so forth. Article 156 (First Aid Treatment) shall become Article 162; Article 157 (Emergency Medical and Dental Services) shall become Article 163.

2.

DATE OF EFFECTIVITY July 12, 2011 (15 days after date of publication: June 27, 2011)

full text of law available at http://www.gov.ph/2011/06/21/republic-act-no-1015/