Labor Law and Social Legislation › Labor Standards

F. Working Conditions for Particular Groups of Workers

D. Special Groups of Employees

Women – Labor Code, former arts. 132-136; the former Article 130 restriction on women's night work was repealed by R.A. No. 10151
Minors – R.A. No. 7610, as amended by R.A. No. 9231
Kasambahays – R.A. No. 10361
Homeworkers – Labor Code, arts. 151-153
Night Workers – Labor Code, arts. 154-161
Apprentices and Learners – Labor Code, arts. 58-60 and 73-74
Persons with Disabilities – R.A. No. 7277, as amended by R.A. No. 9442, R.A. No. 10070 and R.A. No. 10524

Muslim Holidays

General Rule: Muslim holidays are observed only in specified areas

Amun Jadid (New Year)
Maulid un-Nabi (Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad)
Lailatul Isra Wal Miraj (Nocturnal Journey and the Ascencion of the Prophet Muhammad)

Exception: Eid al Fit’r and Eid ul Adha (Celebrated nationwide)

Muslim employees working outside of the specified areas shall be excused from reporting for work during the observance of the Muslim holidays as recognized by law, without diminution of salary or wages during the period.

Considering that all private corporations, offices, agencies, and entities or establishments operating within the designated Muslim provinces and cities are required to observe Muslim holidays, both Muslims and Christians working within the Muslim areas may not report for work on the days designated by law as Muslim Holidays. (SMC v. CA, G.R. No. 146775, January 30, 2002).

When Employable

Persons with disabilities must not be denied access to suitable employment on account of disability and are entitled to the same terms and conditions of employment as qualified able-bodied employees (R.A. No. 7277, Sec. 5, as amended by R.A. No. 10524).

Handicapped workers may be hired as apprentices or learners if their handicap is not such as to effectively impede the performance of job operation in the particular position for which they are hired.

Handicapped Workers May Become Regular

Employees – persons with disabilities may become regular employees under the ordinary Labor Code rules on regular employment; disability alone is not a ground to deny suitable employment or regular status (R.A. No. 7277, Sec. 5, as amended).

Rules on Handicapped Workers

Former Labor Code conditions concerning employment of handicapped workers, which are not prerequisites to ordinary employment of persons with disabilities, were:

Their employment is necessary to prevent curtailment of employment opportunities
Does not create unfair competition in labor costs
Does not impair or lower working standards. (Labor Code, Art. 79)

Persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to obtain suitable employment and must not be denied employment solely because of disability. (R.A. No. 7277, Sec. 5, as amended by R.A. No. 10524)