CEDAW/C/PHI/Q/6/Add.1
organizations/unions, and participation in Philippine activities such as national and local elections,
and policy formulation and implementation.
For its part, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) conducts pre-departure
orientation seminars; requires standard employment contracts for women from local employment
agencies, who are jointly and solidarily liable once overseas workers experience violation of their
rights.
In April 2004, the Foreign Affairs Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Republic of Korea. Said agreement allows Filipinos to be eligible for worker protection and
rights, including union membership, minimum wage guarantees and industrial accident insurance.
Korea is considered one of the top ten overseas employment destinations for the Philippines. The
MOU designated the POEA to collect personal data on job applicants and forward it to the Korean
government and employers. When employers and eligible applicants agree on an employment
contract, the Filipino worker is allowed entry to Korea. Under the new work permit system, foreign
workers and their employers complete a job contract under market rates.
The Trade Union of the Philippines (TUCP) is working out a tie-up with trade unions in
Malaysia and Indonesia to mutually assist each other in addressing issues of workers in their
respective countries.
20. The report states that the Labor Code prohibits night work for women, except in specified
circumstances. The report acknowledges that, while this might aim to protect women workers, it
discriminates against women, as it fails to address the real issue of security for women working at
night (para. 351). Does the Government intend to change this provision of the legislation that
discriminates against women?
While the Philippine Labor Code has not yet been amended with regards to night work
prohibition for women, there are three (3) bills filed at the House of Representatives which supports
the repeal of night work prohibition (House Bills 324, 3792 and 3851). These bills seek for call center
agents to be included among those allowed for night work. When NCRFW raised this issue in the
Cabinet Meeting in March 2006, The President expressed support in the repeal of night work
prohibition.
Health
21. The report states that there are two bills pending in Congress that seek to establish an Integrated
National Policy and Programme on Reproductive Health that recognizes women’s reproductive
rights, gender equality and ensures universal access to reproductive health, services, information
and education (para. 450(g)). Please provide information as to whether the pending bills have
been adopted and have entered into force. If so, what effects can already be seen?
The Reproductive Health bills in the House of Representatives were reconstituted into one bill
called House Bill No. 3773 entitled “Responsible Parenthood and Population Management Act of
2005”. It is now on its Second Reading in the House of Representatives.
In the Senate, six bills on various reproductive health issues and concerns are filed, namely,
SBN 2016 (Pregnant Woman’s Access to Skilled Birth Attendant), SBN 1480 and 81 (Right to
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