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Manila Bulletin devider Latest News devider Paid Menstrual Leave bill may discourage investors, cause negative impact on PH economy—Lacson  ​

Paid Menstrual Leave bill may discourage investors, cause negative impact on PH economy—Lacson  ​

Published Mar 26, 2023 02:16 am
  Former senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Sunday, March 26 warned proponents of the bill that seeks to allow women to take a paid two-day menstrual leave that the measure could have unintended consequences to the country’s economy and also turn off potential investors in the long run.   While he is all for upholding the welfare of women, Lacson said he is concerned that a proposal for a paid menstrual leave may do more harm than good to the ordinary working woman whose rights it is supposed to uphold, as well as to the country.   If it passes into law, Lacson said such a leave may lead to layoffs or even the closing of some factories whose owners do not have the budget for it.   “Instead of benefiting the female workforce in general, it may have a negative effect on the economic and political stability of the country,” Lacson said in a statement.   “What the proponents of the two-day-a-month menstrual-leave-with-pay measure and the ordinary working woman in this country may not realize is the impact of an additional 24 days a year of leave with pay on top of the 105 days of maternity leave, 7 days of paternity leave, 5 days of sick leave, including the 13-18 days of vacation leave every year (convertible to cash if unused) which could lead to layoffs or even the closing of some factories that may not have the wherewithal to cope with the burden of complying with all these privileges,” he added.   The former lawmaker said he is all for upholding the rights of women, but there are other ways to address a health concern without causing unemployment.   While the bill “may be music to the ears,” Lacson pointed to the harsh reality that it may discourage long-term investments by prospective employers.   “It is good to be perceived as pro-labor, especially among the 49 percent women population, but we should also take into consideration the long-term effect on the country’s investment climate in particular and the economy in general,” he said.    
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