Bill raising service incentive leave to 10 days approved by House on final reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on the third and final reading a bill increasing the mandatory yearly service incentive leave (SIL) for workers from five to 10 days.

This developed after House Bill 988, authored by Baguio City Representative Mark Go, gathered 273 yes votes, zero no votes, and zero abstentions during the day’s plenary session.

Under the bill, 10 SIL days will be granted to every employee who has rendered at least one year of service.

“With the increase in the number of leave credits in the form of sick or vacation leaves left purely at the discretion of employers, employees constrained by limited leave credits are left vulnerable to sickness, emergencies, and other fortuitous events that would cost them a day of paid work,” Go said in his explanatory note.

“The granting of paid leaves is not only beneficial to the employees but economically advantageous for employers as well. Such incentives boost the morale and satisfaction of employees which are manifested in increased productivity,” he added.

Leave credits, Go said, also minimizes the risk of health and safety issues which may even be more costly for both employees and employers in the long run.

The increased number of paid leaves, however, will not apply to those who are already enjoying the benefit herein provided, those enjoying vacation leave with pay of at least 10 days, and those employed in establishments regularly employing less than ten employees or in establishments exempted from granting this benefit by the Secretary of Labor after considering the viability or financial condition of such establishment.

In addition, the bill provides that the grant of benefit in excess of that provided will not be made a subject of arbitration or any court or administrative action. — DVM, GMA Integrated News