City asks Dole to spare salesladies from long hours of standing
By Rene U. Borromeo/JPM (The Freeman) Updated October 17, 2010 12:00

CEBU, Philippines - If Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the Cebu City Council will have their way, workers of sales establishments will be allowed to rest after long periods of standing at work.

In last Friday’s session, the Cebu City Council passed a resolution asking the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to ensure that workers shall not be subjected to inhumane conditions.

Malls and department stores do not allow their sales ladies to sit from the time they start working during the day until they finish their shift.

“Nindot kaayo nang gihimo sa City Council. Malipay g’yud mi nga mga nagtrabaho og department stores kay kapoy g’yud nga magsige lang og barug,” said a salesgirl of a department store in Colon Street.

Councilors Alvin Dizon and Sisinio Andales sponsored the resolution.

They also requested the employers or owners of department stores to allow their workers ample time for rest at regular intervals after prolonged standing.

Andales said prolonged standing, particularly the women, can cause hazards to their health.

“Independent surveys here and in abroad found widespread health problems from standing for long hours at work,” said Andales.

Medical research and studies conclude that individuals spending most of the day on their feet are at greater risk for health problems like varicose veins, poor circulation and swelling in the feet and legs among others.

According to Dizon, requiring workers to stand for long hours at work, if not all the time they are working, is inhumane given its negative health effects.

While a mere resolution can’t force the employers to comply with the city legislators’ request, Andales and Dizon said the City Council shall conduct further studies and multi-sectoral dialogues on the necessity of enacting an ordinance for this purpose. (FREEMAN)