RH bill, not the key against unemployment problem -PM

The Labor group Partido ng Mangagawa (PM) said that employees availing reproductive health services should have their leave of absences paid. This is what the Labor Code demands: that there should be incentives for employees practicing family planning methods.

"The Reproductive Health (RH) Bill proposes a half-day payment for a leave of absence an employee incurs due to prenatal consultations", said PM Secretary July Ann Miranda.

PM accepted the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) to RH bill in controlling the growth of population, but did not agree on the issue that unemployment is due to overpopulation. Miranda said that the government should never blame the problem of the lack in jobs opportunities in the country on overpopulation alone. For her, unemployment shows poor economic policies, not lack of family planning. She added that aside from using bonuses as incentives for employees and workers to practice family planning, DOLE should educate and give information on sexuality, reproductive health and human rights.

However, Miranda emphasized that one of the best benefits of the RH bill is its being complete, relevant, affordable and accessible family planning system, even for the daily wage earners. — ARA