The Labor Code of the Philippines (DOLE Edition 2022) serves as the

legal framework governing labor and employment practices in the

Philippines. It outlines the rights, duties, and obligations of workers and
employers to ensure fair treatment, decent working conditions, and
protection of rights in the workplace.

Below is a summary of the Labor Code of the Philippines (2022 Edition) and
key Republic Acts (RA) related to labor laws:

Labor Code of the Philippines Summary

1. Preliminary Title:

o Establishes the principles and policies governing labor relations,

including the right of workers to form unions, the importance of
social justice, and the government's role in promoting welfare.

2. Book I – Employment

o Title I: General Provisions

 This includes the rules on the scope of the Labor Code,

definitions of employment relationships, and provisions
about labor disputes.

o Title II: Employment Standards

 Outlines the minimum standards for working conditions

such as working hours, rest days, holidays, and pay for
overtime work.

o Title III: Health, Safety, and Welfare of Workers

 Provides rules about workplace safety, health standards,

welfare measures, and social protection.

o Title IV: Employment Termination

 Establishes rules for just causes (e.g., misconduct,

inefficiency) and authorized causes (e.g., retrenchment,
redundancy) for terminating an employment contract.

3. Book II – Conditions of Employment

o Title I: Wages, Benefits, and Other Forms of Remuneration

  Specifies the rules governing minimum wage, the 13th-
month pay, and other employee benefits such as holiday
pay, sick leave, and maternity leave.

o Title II: Labor Standards

 Focuses on work hours, conditions for overtime, night

shifts, and rest days.

o Title III: Employment of Women and Children

 Protects the rights of women and minors in the workplace,

setting conditions for their employment and prohibiting
exploitation.

4. Book III – Labor Relations

o Title I: Unionism and Collective Bargaining

 Provides for the formation of labor unions, collective

bargaining agreements, and workers' right to strike.

o Title II: Dispute Settlement

 Details procedures for the settlement of labor disputes,

including the role of the National Labor Relations
Commission (NLRC).

o Title III: Employment Standards

 Covers the legal procedures for resolving conflicts between

workers and employers.

5. Book IV – Post-Employment

o Governs retirement, separation pay, and the termination of

employment.

6. Book V – Miscellaneous Provisions

o Title I: Special Provisions on Public Employment

o Provides rules governing the employment in government

positions, including regulations for labor unions within the public
sector.

Relevant Republic Acts (RA) Related to Labor

1. Republic Act No. 6727 – Wage Rationalization Act

o Establishes the system for determining minimum wages. It

created the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards
(RTWPBs), which determine the minimum wage rates in different
regions.

2. Republic Act No. 10361 – Domestic Workers Act (Batas

Kasambahay)

o Protects domestic workers (kasambahay), ensuring their rights to

fair wages, decent working conditions, and protection from
abuse.

3. Republic Act No. 11210 – 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave

Law

o Expands the maternity leave benefit to 105 days with pay, which
is applicable to all female workers in the private and public
sector, including solo mothers.

4. Republic Act No. 11199 – Social Security Act of 2018

o Enhances the benefits provided under the Social Security System

(SSS), particularly in terms of increasing the monthly pensions
and providing more comprehensive coverage to workers.

5. Republic Act No. 10911 – Anti-Age Discrimination in

Employment Act

o Prohibits age discrimination in employment, ensuring equal

opportunities for people of all age groups in terms of hiring,
training, promotion, and termination.

6. Republic Act No. 11058 – Occupational Safety and Health

Standards Act

o Strengthens the protection of workers' health and safety by

mandating strict safety regulations in workplaces. It also outlines
the responsibilities of employers in ensuring a safe working
environment.

7. Republic Act No. 10687 – Unified Student Financial Assistance

System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Act
 o Establishes a comprehensive student financial assistance system
for tertiary education, which is related to labor market
development and the skilled workforce.

8. Republic Act No. 8042 – Migrant Workers and Overseas

Filipinos Act of 1995

o Provides protection to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), ensuring

their welfare, legal assistance, and support through government
agencies.

9. Republic Act No. 9211 – Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003

o Sets regulations on smoking in the workplace, protecting workers

from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

10. Republic Act No. 9470 – National Archives of the

Philippines Act

o While primarily concerned with record-keeping, this act also has

provisions related to the management and preservation of labor-
related documents and records.

Recent Developments

 The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) continues to

implement reforms based on these laws and strives to improve working
conditions, especially regarding safety, benefits, and dispute
resolution.

 The government has issued various Department Orders that provide

more detailed implementation guidelines for these laws.
Labor Code of the Philippines - Reviewer

I. General Overview of the Labor Code

The Labor Code of the Philippines provides the foundation for labor
relations and employment laws in the Philippines. It aims to balance the
interests of both employees and employers while promoting social justice,
fair treatment, and decent working conditions.

II. Key Books and Titles of the Labor Code

Book I – Employment

 General Provisions

o Defines employment relationships.

o Establishes the policies governing employment.

 Employment Standards

o Covers working hours, holidays, overtime pay, and rest periods.

o Minimum wage laws are set under this title.

 Health, Safety, and Welfare

o Employers must ensure workers' safety and health in the

workplace.

 Employment Termination
 o Covers just causes (misconduct, inefficiency) and authorized
causes (retrenchment, redundancy) for dismissal.

o Ensures protection against unjust dismissal.

Book II – Conditions of Employment

 Wages, Benefits, and Other Remuneration

o Minimum wage, 13th-month pay, overtime, holiday pay, and

other benefits.

 Labor Standards

o Defines work hours, conditions for night shifts, overtime pay, and
rest days.

 Employment of Women and Children

o Prohibits child labor and ensures equal opportunities for women.

Book III – Labor Relations

 Unionism and Collective Bargaining

o Workers' right to form unions and engage in collective

bargaining.

 Dispute Settlement

o Procedures for resolving labor disputes through the National

Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

Book IV – Post-Employment

 Retirement and Separation

o Covers rights related to retirement, separation pay, and benefits

upon termination of employment.

Book V – Miscellaneous Provisions

 Public Employment

o Regulations for labor unions in the public sector.

III. Key Republic Acts (RAs) Related to Labor

1. Republic Act No. 6727 (Wage Rationalization Act)

 o Key Point: Establishes the system for determining minimum
wage.

o Impact: Created Regional Tripartite Wages and

Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to set region-specific wage
rates.

2. Republic Act No. 10361 (Domestic Workers Act or Batas

Kasambahay)

o Key Point: Ensures protection for domestic workers

(kasambahay).

o Impact: Mandates fair wages, decent working conditions, and

protection from abuse.

3. Republic Act No. 11210 (Expanded Maternity Leave Law)

o Key Point: Grants 105 days of maternity leave with pay.

o Impact: Applies to female workers in both private and public

sectors, including solo mothers.

4. Republic Act No. 11199 (Social Security Act of 2018)

o Key Point: Enhances the benefits of the Social Security

System (SSS).

o Impact: Provides higher monthly pensions, expanded coverage,

and improved benefits for workers.

5. Republic Act No. 10911 (Anti-Age Discrimination in

Employment Act)

o Key Point: Prohibits age discrimination in hiring, training,

promotion, and termination.

o Impact: Ensures equal opportunities for all ages in the

workplace.

6. Republic Act No. 11058 (Occupational Safety and Health

Standards Act)

o Key Point: Strengthens health and safety regulations in

workplaces.

o Impact: Employers must implement safety protocols to ensure

workers' well-being.
 7. Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos
Act of 1995)

o Key Point: Protects the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino

workers (OFWs).

o Impact: Provides legal assistance, welfare programs, and

protection against abuse.

8. Republic Act No. 9211 (Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003)

o Key Point: Regulates smoking in the workplace.

o Impact: Protects workers from second-hand smoke and ensures

proper ventilation.

9. Republic Act No. 9470 (National Archives of the Philippines

Act)

o Key Point: Includes provisions for the preservation of labor-

related records.

o Impact: Ensures proper management of government

documents, including labor-related files.

IV. Important Concepts to Remember

 Minimum Wage: Employers are required to pay at least the

prescribed minimum wage determined by the Regional Tripartite
Wages and Productivity Boards.

 Overtime Pay: Workers are entitled to overtime pay if they work

beyond the standard working hours.

 Employment Termination: Employment can only be terminated for

just or authorized causes, with due process.

 Social Protection: Workers are entitled to benefits such as health

insurance, retirement, and unemployment assistance through SSS,
PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

 Dispute Resolution: Labor disputes are settled through conciliation

and arbitration by the National Labor Relations Commission
(NLRC).
  Workers’ Rights: Workers have the right to form unions, engage in
collective bargaining, and enjoy social security benefits.

V. Key Labor Law Issues to Focus On

1. Termination of Employment:

o Understand the due process required for lawful termination,

including written notice and hearing for just and authorized
causes.

2. Wages and Benefits:

o Be familiar with laws on overtime, holiday pay, and 13th-

month pay.

3. Health and Safety:

o Employers must maintain a safe workplace and comply with

Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

4. Union Rights and Collective Bargaining:

o Workers have the right to form unions and bargain

collectively for better working conditions.

VI. Practice Questions

1. What is the primary function of the Regional Tripartite Wages

and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs)?

2. How many days of maternity leave are granted under the

Expanded Maternity Leave Law?

3. What are the conditions under which an employee may be

legally terminated under the Labor Code?

4. What key protections does the Anti-Age Discrimination in

Employment Act provide?

5. How does the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act

impact employers?
Conclusion

The Labor Code of the Philippines and the related Republic Acts aim to
ensure the protection, welfare, and rights of workers while also providing a
framework for employers to comply with labor laws. Knowing the main
provisions and how they impact workers and employers is crucial for anyone
involved in labor relations, HR management, or policy enforcement.