The Philippines’ labour department on Friday issued an order banning
private companies from demanding female employees to wear high-heeled
shoes at work.
private companies from demanding female employees to wear high-heeled
shoes at work.
According to a labour group that proposed the new directive, the
order makes the Philippines the first country in Asia to ban the
mandatory wearing of high heels in the workplace.
order makes the Philippines the first country in Asia to ban the
mandatory wearing of high heels in the workplace.
“We hope that the regulation will also be copied and applied for the
benefit of workers in the entire Asia region,” said Alan Tanjusay, a
spokesman for the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines.
benefit of workers in the entire Asia region,” said Alan Tanjusay, a
spokesman for the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines.
“With this regulation, millions of Filipino (workers) … will now be
freed from the bondage of unsafe and dangerous working conditions,” he
added.
freed from the bondage of unsafe and dangerous working conditions,” he
added.
Labour
Secretary Silvestre Bello said the guidelines would take effect next
month and was based on a study by a task force created following
ALU-TUCP’s proposal.
Secretary Silvestre Bello said the guidelines would take effect next
month and was based on a study by a task force created following
ALU-TUCP’s proposal.
“We noticed how sales ladies, for example, look very tired after
standing all day in heels,” he said. “You can tell there is a feeling of
inconvenience or they are uncomfortable.”
standing all day in heels,” he said. “You can tell there is a feeling of
inconvenience or they are uncomfortable.”
Bello said the department has not received any negative feedback about the order during consultations.
Under the department’s guidelines, companies can no longer require
women to wear shoes with heels more than 1 inch in height as part of the
dress code at work. (NAN)
women to wear shoes with heels more than 1 inch in height as part of the
dress code at work. (NAN)
Source: The Precision