Retirement Age of Racehorse Jockeys

May 3, 2016

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10789

AN ACT AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 442, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 302-A REDUCING THE RETIREMENT AGE OF RACEHORSE JOCKEYS FROM SIXTY (60) TO FIFTY-FIVE (55)

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Racehorse Jockeys Retirement Act".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State shall promote the welfare of racehorse jockeys recognizing their special circumstance and the inherent dangers of their profession that may cause life-threatening injuries, permanent disability or even death. Towards this end, it is proper that the retirement age of racehorse jockeys be appropriately adjusted.

SECTION 3. Retirement. — The Labor Code of the Philippines is hereby further amended by adding a new Article 302-A to read as follows: CAIHTE

"Art. 302-A. Retirement Age of Racehorse Jockeys. — A professional racehorse jockey who is duly licensed by the Philippine Racing Commission (PHILRACOM) shall be compulsorily retired upon reaching the age of fifty-five (55) years and shall be entitled to all retirement benefits provided for under Article 302 of this Code: Provided, That he shall pay additional premiums to the Social Security System (SSS) as may be prescribed in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.

"Nothing in this Article shall deprive any racehorse jockey of the benefits he is entitled to under existing laws, company policies or practices."

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the SSS, and the PHILRACOM, in consultation with the New Philippine Jockeys Association, Inc. (NPJAI) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within thirty (30) days from its effectivity.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — Section 12-B of Republic Act No. 1161, as amended, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 1997, is hereby amended and modified accordingly to entitle racehorse jockeys to the benefits provided therein upon reaching the retirement age of fifty-five (55) years old. All other laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. DETACa

Approved: May 3, 2016.