Wednesday, January 30, 2008 Seats for salesladies now a city ordinance By Grace L. Plata
THE ordinance requiring employers to provide seats for their female employees unanimously passed third and final reading during Tuesday's regular session of the Davao City council.
Authored by Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, chair of the City Council committee on labor and employment opportunities, the law is aimed at preserving the health of women, particularly salesladies who are required to stand all day.
The measure was thought of as studies showed that standing for long hours has an impact on the health of women especially in childbearing and cardiovascular concerns.
Passage of the ordinance, which was calendared for third and final reading during last week's session, was deferred, as the amendments raised by Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad during its second reading were not incorporated into the final copy. Trinidad wanted the definition of female worker/employee as that in the Labor Code to be adapted.
Ibuyan said the incident is a lesson not only for him but to all legislators -- to check the print after the second reading to make sure the necessary amendments have been incorporated. This will not only ensure quality of work but is also a time-saver.
With the passage of the ordinance in the City Council, it will be forwarded to the Office of the City Mayor for either approval or veto.
If and when it is approved, Ibuyan said, it would be an added reason for the city to be called both employer and labor-friendly.
Sanctions for violation of the ordinance should be a fine of not less than P1,000 nor more than P5,000 or by imprisonment of not less than one month nor more than six months. Its implementing agency will be the Integrated Gender and Development Office under the City mayor's Office.
