The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) supports Senate Bill (SB) 2475 which aims to protect employees from working beyond their designated hours, particularly during the work from home (WFH) set up amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

SB 2475, called the "Workers Rest Law," would prevent employers from giving "unli-work from home" or assigning tasks and holding meetings that exceed the designated work hours.

With more Filipinos working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CHR wants to maintain the boundaries between work and rest, which unfortunately have been blurred because of the current setup.

CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, a lawyer, said that the “line between work and rest has been blurred because of the work-from-home setup, and some employers have abused the accessibility of employees through the aid of technology.”

"The economic uncertainty also heightened the fear of unemployment. Some employers have taken advantage of this fear to exploit their workers' services and overstep the boundaries of reasonable work hours," she said.

Thus, she pointed out, the CHR “fully backs the filing of Senate Bill No. 2475, which aims to protect employees from working beyond their designated hours.”

She cited Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay."

With SB 2475, employers will be prohibited from discriminating against employees who will assert their right to rest, she said.

"This is an important move to increase the protection of employees who are experiencing greater vulnerability during this period of crisis," she also said.

While it is important for employers to ensure productivity, De Guia said they also have a responsibility to look after the welfare of their employees who also have a life outside of their work.

"Given the compounding challenges posed by the pandemic, we hope for the swift passage of the bill to protect the welfare and dignity of workers in this time of crisis," she added.