Doubled night shift differential for private sector workers pushed

MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking to double the minimum night shift differential for private-sector workers from the current 10 percent to 20 percent of their regular hourly wage has been filed by Sen. Loren Legarda.

According to Legarda, the proposed increase would help recognize the sacrifices and health risks faced by workers whose schedules require them to work at night.

Under Senate Bill No. 2585 filed on Nov. 4, the senator seeks to amend Article 86 of the Labor Code, which currently requires employers to pay employees a night shift differential of at least 10% of their regular wage for every hour of work performed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following day.

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The proposed measure raises the minimum rate to 20 percent for the same period.

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In the explanatory note of the bill, it was stated that the existing 10 percent statutory minimum had remained unchanged since the Labor Code was enacted in 1974.

This is despite changes in economic conditions and growing concerns over the health effects of night work.

Legarda’s proposal also cited the health risks associated with prolonged night work, including disruptions to the body’s circadian rhythm and increased risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies night shift work as a probable carcinogen or cause for cancer, according to the bill’s explanatory note.

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Moreover, Legarda noted rising living costs, noting that Philippine headline inflation reached 7.2 percent in September 2026, up from 6.1 percent in August.

Legarda also pointed to night shift compensation standards in other Asian countries with Japan providing at least a 25 percent premium for night work, while South Korea requires an additional 50 percent and Vietnam with at least 30 percent, subject to their respective labor laws.

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The measure further cited Republic Act No. 11701, which grants qualified government employees a night shift differential of up to 20 percent of their hourly basic rate for work performed between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Legarda said the proposed increase would align the minimum compensation for private-sector night workers with the recognition already extended to covered government employees.

“Hindi na 1974 ang ating ekonomiya, pero 1974 pa rin ang pamantayan ng batas pagdating sa minimum night differential. Sa harap ng inflation, mas mataas na cost of living, at mas mabibigat na hamon ng night work, nararapat lamang na itaas ang minimum na dagdag-bayad para sa ating mga night workers,” Legarda said.

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(Our economy is no longer what it was in 1974, yet the law’s standard for the minimum night shift differential remains stuck in that year. Amid inflation, the rising cost of living, and the growing challenges of night work, it is only right to increase the minimum additional pay for our night workers.) /gsg