House OKs bill for ‘enhanced’ protection, benefits to media workers

House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Monday approved on final reading a proposed legislation that would provide “enhanced” protection, security, and benefits for media workers.

Voting 218-0-0, the lower chamber approved House Bill No. 8140 or the proposed “Media Workers Welfare Act.”

Under the bill, media workers shall not receive less than the applicable minimum wage prescribed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, and shall be entitled to overtime pay and night shift premiums as well as other compensation stated in the Labor Code of the Philippines.

Further, it mandates Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage to media workers upon employment.

Media workers who are required to physically report in dangerous areas such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, disease-infested areas, or areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency should also be compensated with hazard pay of P500 per day at the minimum.

Employers shall also provide insurance coverage to media workers that include a death benefit, disability benefit, and medical insurance benefit, according to the bill.

Additionally, the proposed law mandates that media workers shall be deemed as regular employees after six months from the start of hiring, regardless of the nature of employment.