The Senate passed on final reading a bill seeking to grant night shift differential to government employees whose work requires them to perform their duties beyond regular working hours.

Senate Bill 643 was approved with 20 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention.

Under the proposed measure, government employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), whether they are permanent, contractual, temporary, or casual, shall be paid night shift differential at a rate not exceeding 20 percent of the hourly basic rate of the employee for each hour of work performed between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

At present this wage-related benefit is given only to private employees as mandated by the Labor Code.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., the bill’s main author, welcomed the approval of the proposed measure, saying public sector employees also deserve the benefit given to their private counterparts.

“This proposed measure seeks to recognize government employees’ unselfish service,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation said.

“The granting of night differential to government employees will also go a long way in helping to ensure their safety, security, and productivity, since working at night takes a toll on any person’s health, property, and life,” Revilla said.

Under SB 643, funding for the night differential of workers coming from the national government will be charged against the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Meanwhile, funding for the night differential of local government workers shall come from the respective funds of the local government unit.

On the other hand, GOCCs and their subsidiaries shall get their funding from their respective corporate funds. (PNA)

with gov’t employees photo