The Department of Labor and Employment’s Order 178 takes its full effect today, September 11, prohibiting employers to require female employees to wear high-heeled shoes at work.
Female employees should also be given a 15-minute sitting break every two hours. This applies to sales ladies, waitresses, receptionists, lady guards and flight attendants.
Employers who will violate the order may be penalized with a fine, suspension, or closure of business.
Earlier in August, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said prolonged standing while wearing high heels is “almost inhumane,” and mulled on the possibility of short breaks for employees who endure long hours of standing in heels.
“Ang hirap kaya nakatindig ka ng 4 hours. Sana may side man lang ang salesgirls, like upuan, where they can take a rest. For every one hour e paupuin sila ng 10 minutes,” he said.
“Kawawa ang mga babae, ang babata pa naman may varicose na,” he added.
