COTABATO CITY — A measure allowing Bangsamoro employees to take five days of bereavement leave following the death of an immediate family member has been introduced in Parliament.
If passed into law, the bill will grant employees, both in the private and public sectors within the BARMM, five working days of bereavement leave with full pay upon the death of an immediate family member. Immediate family members, as defined in PB No. 281, include spouses, parents, children, brothers, or sisters.
Member of Parliament Abdullah Hashim,
main author of Parliament Bill No. 281, or the Bangsamoro Bereavement Leave Act
of 2024, said that this privilege will provide employees with the necessary
time to grieve, attend to, or make arrangements for the funeral.
To ensure the legitimacy of taking bereavement leave, employers have the option to request reasonable documentation from the employee, such as a death certificate or obituary. The bill safeguards employees’ rights by stipulating that those who take advantage of bereavement leave will not face any negative consequences in terms of job security.
Availing the leave cannot be used as grounds for misconduct, demotion, termination, or any allegation of unsatisfactory performance. Once passed, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE) and the Bangsamoro Civil Service Commission will issue the necessary rules and regulations of PB No. 281 within 30 days after its effectivity.
MPs Dr. Susana Anayatin, Nabila
Margarita Pangandaman, Mudjib Abu, Mosber Alauddin, Faizal Karon, Ali Salik,
Abdullah Macapaar, Tawakal Midtimbang, Ali Solaiman, Abdulwahab Pak, Ibrahim
Ali, Amroussi Macatanong, Atty. Lanang Ali Jr., Ramon Piang, Ali Montaha Babao,
Denmartin Kahalan, Diamila Ramos, Mohammad Kelie Antao, Said Shiek, Tarhata
Maglangit, Abdullah Gayak, Michael Midtimbang, Hussein Muñoz, Eddie Alih, Bai
Maleha Candao, Suharto Esmael, Marjanie Macasalong, and Engr. Aida Silongan are
co-authors of PB No. 281. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media
Relations Division)
