Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo has filed a bill allowing employees to ignore work-related text messages and emails after office hours.
House Bill 4721 – An Act granting employees the right to disconnect from work-related electronic communications after work hours, amending for the purpose Presidential Decree no. 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines – aims to give employees respite from work-related text or e-mails after work hours when they should be resting, recovering from fatigue, and spending time for themselves and their families.
In filing the bill, Castelo noted that digital communications has allowed 24/7 connectivity among people and boosted business tremendously.
“But it has also created a problem of undeclared labor as employees are forced to work, although indirectly, beyond work hours responding to e-mails, text messages, and calls on mobile phones,” he said. (Ellson A. Quismorio)