LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Labor Code of the Philippines:

Preliminary Title
- Declares the basic policy of the State to afford protection to labor, promote employment, ensure equal work opportunities, and regulate labor-management relations (Article 3).
- Defines key terms used in the Code (Article 97).

Book One: Pre-Employment
- Establishes the Bureau of Employment Services to develop and monitor employment programs (Article 15).
- Regulates the recruitment and placement of workers, both locally and overseas (Chapter II).

Book Two: Human Resources Development Program
- Establishes the National Manpower and Youth Council to formulate and implement manpower development plans and programs (Article 45).
- Provides for the establishment of apprenticeship programs and regulates the employment of apprentices, learners, and handicapped workers (Title II).

Book Three: Conditions of Employment
- Regulates working hours, rest periods, and holidays (Title I).
- Sets minimum wage rates and provides for their determination by Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (Chapter II, Title II).
- Provides for special working conditions for women, minors, and househelpers (Title III).
- Regulates the employment of homeworkers (Chapter IV, Title III).

Book Four: Health, Safety, and Social Welfare Benefits
- Requires employers to provide medical and dental services, and occupational safety and health standards (Title I).
- Establishes the Employees' Compensation Program and the State Insurance Fund to provide income and medical benefits for work-related injuries, sickness, disability, or death (Title II).
- Implements the Philippine Medical Care Plan (Title III).
- Requires employers to provide adult education programs for their workers (Title IV).

Book Five: Labor Relations
- Declares the policy of the State to promote free trade unionism, collective bargaining, and industrial peace (Article 211).
- Establishes the National Labor Relations Commission to handle labor disputes (Title II).
- Regulates the registration and rights of labor organizations (Title IV).
- Defines the coverage of the Code and the right to self-organization (Title V).
- Defines unfair labor practices of employers and labor organizations (Titles VI and VII).
- Regulates collective bargaining, administration of agreements, grievance machinery, and voluntary arbitration (Titles VII and VII-A).
- Regulates strikes, lockouts, and foreign involvement in trade union activities (Title VIII).

Book Six: Post-Employment
- Regulates the termination of employment, including grounds for termination, separation pay, and retirement benefits (Titles I and II).

Book Seven: Transitory and Final Provisions
- Prescribes penalties for violations of the Code (Title I).
- Provides for the prescription of offenses and claims (Title II).
- Contains transitory and final provisions, including the application of laws enacted prior to the Code, funding provisions, and the disposition of pending cases (Title III).