By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill granting a yearly service incentive leave of 10 days to all employees.
HB 6770, principally authored by Baguio City Representative Mark Go, seeks to increase the service incentive leave of employees from five days to 10 days with pay in a bid to boost the workers’ morale, wellness, and productivity.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Benefitting from the measure are employees who have rendered at least one year of service.
The bill seeks to amend Article 95 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Not covered by the bill are those who are already enjoying such a benefit; those enjoying vacation leave with pay of at least 10 days; and those in establishments regularly employing less than 10 employees; or in establishments exempted from granting this benefit by the Secretary of Labor and Employment after considering the viability or condition of such establishment.
“The granting of such incentive boosts the morale and satisfaction of employees which is manifested in their increased productivity. Leave credits also minimize the risks of health and safety issues among employees which may be even costlier for both employers and employees in the long run,” Go said.
He noted that granting sick and vacation leaves are given based on the prerogative of the employers, either by expressed stipulation on the employees’ contract or through collective bargaining agreement.