RA 9457 - Special Program for the Employment of Students

AMENDED Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) Act

What is it about?

It entices employers to hire poor but deserving students during the summer by mandating the local government unit (LGU) to shoulder 40% of the wages.

Important Things to remember:
1.  To be eligible for the program, an employer has have at least 10 employees.

2. To be eligible for the program, an applicant must be a "poor but deserving student" aged 15 to 25 years old.

3. A "poor but deserving student" refers to a person whose parents' combined income does not exceed the annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of 6.

4. The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of each LGU shall facilitate the application of students to the program.

5. 60% of the student's salary will be paid by the employer, while 40% will be paid by the LGU in the form of vouchers the student can use in his school.

6. Any person or school that refuses to honor the voucher shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine of at least P10,000.00.

Complete text of the law can be found at:
Amended SPES Program

RA 10151- Allowing Employment of Night Workers

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ALLOWING EMPLOYMENT OF NIGHT WORKERS

What is this law about?

Previous to this law, as a general rule, women were NOT allowed to work during the night (Art. 130, Labor Code).  So technically, companies, including call centers and other BPOs, were NOT allowed to hire women to work the nightshift.  To be able to go around the rule, call centers had to apply for an exception (Art. 131, Labor Code).

RA 10151 repealed these 2 rules.  So now, a call center can hire as much women as it wants, without having to apply for exceptions at the Department of Labor and Employment.

Important Things to remember:

1. Night Workers have a right to undergo a health assessment without charge and receive advice on how to reduce or avoid health problems associated with their work.

2. As a general rule, the findings shall of such assessments can not be given to others without the workers' consent.

3. Call Centers are now required to provide first-aid facilities for the nightshift.

4. Call Centers are also now required to provide sleeping or resting quarters for the nightshift.

5. Night workers who are found to be unfit for night work due to health reasons have a right to be transferred to a similar job during the day.

6. Pregnant Night Workers have additional rights under the law. 

Complete text of the law can be found at:

Allowing Employment of Night Workers found in the Official Gazette