In his very first proposed ordinance as the newest member of the Baguio City Council, the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President is pushing for the grant of menstrual leave in the City of Baguio.
In a bid to support women’s health and well-being in the workplace, this ordinance, if passed, will grant female employees in the city, both in the public and private sectors, except pregnant or menopausal women, the right to a two-day monthly menstruation privilege with pay equivalent to at least 50% of their basic salary.
This benefit applies to employees who have rendered at least six months of continuous or broken service at the time of the effectivity of the ordinance.
Furthermore, the ordinance includes provisions to safeguard the security of tenure for employees availing of menstrual leave including prohibitions on job downgrade or termination as a result of utilizing this benefit. Employers already providing this privilege or its equivalent are exempt from the coverage of the ordinance.
To ensure effective implementation, the ordinance mandates the formulation of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) by the local chief executive through the City Legal Office and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, subject to approval by the Baguio City Council.
The proposed Menstrual Leave Ordinance draws inspiration from Article XIII, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution which highlights the state’s obligation to ensure safe working conditions for women, considering their maternal functions and from Section 17 of Republic Act 9710, also known as the Magna Carta for Women, which emphasizes the need for gender-responsive health services and programs to address women’s health concerns throughout their life cycle.
Citing research conducted by the National Library of Medicine in the United States which underscores the considerable adverse effects of menstruation on women’s concentration, vitality, productivity, work motivation, and emotional state, Mananeng asserts that menstrual leave is a necessary step toward recognizing and addressing women’s health issues in the workplace.
The proposed measure seeks to provide female employees with much-needed support during menstruation while acknowledging their vital role in nation-building and ensuring gender equality.
The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading and referred to the city council’s Committee on Social Services, Women, and Urban Poor for review. **Jordan G. Habbiling
