RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKERS

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKERS

Every right implies a responsibility

ACTIVITY #1: RIGHT OR RESPONSIBILITY?

For each statement, choose whether it is an employee's right or a responsibility by clicking the box of your choice.

Multiple Choice

Receive fair pay at the correct time

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITY

Multiple Choice

Do all work in a safe manner and be mindful

of other people’s safety at all times

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITY

Multiple Choice

Arrive on time and stay until the work day

has ended

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITY

Multiple Choice

Have time for regular breaks

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITIES

Multiple Choice

Return materials and/or equipment after

use

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITY

Multiple Choice

Have a positive attitude about work

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITY

Multiple Choice

Have the right equipment and materials

to do the work properly

• RIGHTS

• RESPONSIBILITY

REMEMBER:

‘rights’ are what you can expect your employer to provide; ‘responsibilities’ are what your employer can expect that you will do. For example, it is the right of the employee to receive clear instruction and expectations about the job from the employer and it is the employer’s responsibility to explain the expectations of the job to the employee. 

ACTIVITY #2: AGREE OR DISAGREE

For every statement, choose whether you agree or disagree.

Multiple Choice

Statement 1: The Philippine work week consists of 45 hours.

• AGREE

• DISAGREE

False: The work week is 40 hours.

Art. 83. Normal hours of work. The normal hours of work of any employee shall not exceed eight (8) hours a day

Multiple Choice

Statement 2: Young people under the age of 15 may work if they have their parent’s

permission.

• AGREE

• DISAGREE

False: Young people under the age of 15 may not be employed, except when he works directly under the responsibility of his parents or guardians. The official employment age is 15, with some exceptions for children ages 15‐18.

Art. 139. Minimum employable age.

Multiple Choice

Statement 3: Employers may require its employees to work even during rest days.

• AGREE

• DISAGREE

True. Under the law, you can be required to work under certain conditions.

Art. 92. When employer may require work on a rest day.

Multiple Choice

Statement 4: Workers should not get involved in policy decisions about his/her rights because the government is the one making those decisions.

• AGREE

• DISAGREE

False: If an individual worker wants to express his/her opinion about his rights, he/she can do that by participating in policy and decision-making processes that affect his/her rights.

Art. 211. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State: To ensure the participation of workers in decision and policy‐making processes affecting their rights, duties and welfare.

Multiple Choice

Statement 5: Workers are entitled to paid leave at the employer’s expense.

• AGREE

• DISAGREE

True. Employers have the responsibility to provide annual incentive leave to its employees. However, this does not apply for employees in a retail or service establishment employing 1‐

9 workers.

Art. 95. Right to service incentive leave.

APPLICATION

Give your opinion regarding the given scenario

SCENARIO: TIME OFF WORK

Betsay, a young, single mother, had been working long hours at the restaurant. She hadn’t had a day off in over a month and often worked 55 hours per week. One day her child became very sick with dengue so she called the restaurant to let them know she could not come to work. Her boss was annoyed, murmuring that she will look for someone more reliable than Betsay. Betsay became worried she was going to lose her job. She told her friends about her problems and her friends gave her two options.

Open Ended

What is the issue?

Open Ended

What do you think the Philippine law says about number of work hours and time off?

Open Ended

3. How should Betsay handle this situation?

Open Ended

4. If you were Betsay’s friends what advice will you give to Betsay?

Laws regulating labor in the Philippines can be found in the Labor Code of the Philippines and the Handbook on Statutory Monetary Benefits by the DOLE Bureau of Working Conditions. The documents can be downloaded from:

• Labor Code: www.dole.gov.ph/labor_codes

• Handbook: www.bwc.dole.gov.ph/userfiles/file/Handbook--‐English%20Version.pdf