Sick leave with pay
A new bill that seeks to give a 30-day sick leave with pay to public school teachers is being pressed at the Congress.
House Bill 5349 authored by ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, Bayan Muna Partylist Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Ferdinand Gite, and Eufemia Cullamat, Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.
“It is a common complaint among public school teachers that, since current laws, rules, and regulations do not afford them this leave privilege, it is as if the government views them as superhumans who do not get sick during the school year,” the lawmakers said in their explanatory message.
They emphasized that service credits are compensation for work done by teachers, particularly those done beyond regular duties or regular work.
“Furthermore, availing of service credits is saddled with many requirements and limited to only 15 days per year, despite the many non-teaching related tasks and activities required of teachers,” the group added.
In this said bill, all public school teachers shall be entitled to 30 days with pay sick leave.
The leave privilege shall also be non-cumulative and non-convertible to cash.
