Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Council okays law allowing salesladies to sit down By Grace L. Plata
THE proposed ordinance requiring mall and store operators to provide seats for their female employees in the workplace was approved on second reading during Tuesday's City Council session.
This means that the ordinance is already approved in principle since all it takes now is for it to be scheduled for third reading.
In a third reading, a proposed ordinance's title is read and marked as approved on record. Questions and debates regarding a proposed ordinance are entertained during second reading.
After the third reading came the public notice period, and then the implementation.
Proposed by the City Council committee labor and employment opportunities chaired by Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, the ordinance is aimed at protecting and preserving women's health, particularly salesladies who are up on their feet all day.
Studies showed that prolonged standing in women could result to heart risks, varicose veins, stroke, and foot, leg, and back pains. It also contributes to circulatory problems, difficulties in pregnancy and birth defects.
Ibuyan presented the committee report Tuesday followed by the discussion and debate on the matter under second reading after the committee report was approved.
"Murag mao ni ang first legislation of its kind sa tibuok Pilipinas," the Ibuyan said.
The ordinance, if passed on third and final reading in the next session, will be the first major legislation that the Davao City council has passed in 2008.
