TUCP backs bill to hike workers' night differential rate

MANILA, Philippines - A labor group is pushing for a bill in the House of Representatives that seeks to increase the compensation rate of night shift differential in the country from the current 10 percent to 15 percent.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said House Bill 656, or the Night Workers’ Additional Compensation Act of 2013  introduced by Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, also tries to change the night shift differential time window from between 10p.m. and 6a.m. to between 8p.m. and 4a.m.

"We are in favor of increasing night shift differentials of workers by 5 percent because it will somehow help night shift workers manage with medical expenses out of sickness arising from their stressful and not so ordinary work schedule," TUCP- Associated Labor Unions executive vice president Gerard Seno said.

"The increase will boost workers’ morale resulting to an increased productivity thereby benefiting the company at the same time improve employees’ purchasing power stimulating economic activity," he added.

Article 86 of the Labor Code of the Philippines  stipulates the night shift differential window between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to be paid with not less than 10 percent of regular wage.

The proposed measure also requires the Department of Labor and Employment to draft rules on giving exemptions to company or employers who might be unable to afford the increase.