Bill seeks punishment for harassment of workers
MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is seeking punishment for any person who will interfere, restrain, harass, or coerce any worker or workers’ union in the exercise of their rights to self-organization.
Under House Bill No. 10201, or the “Union Independence Act of 2021,” six lawmakers from Bayan Muna, Gabriela, ACT Teachers and Kabataan said the government had the responsibility to protect and uphold the rights of all workers and promote their welfare, including their constitutionally guaranteed rights to self-organization.
The Makabayan bloc has called for a congressional investigation of alleged violations of workers’ rights in Laguna by the government’s anticommunist task force.
If passed into law, any person who violates the said provisions would be punished by a fine of not less than P100,000, or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court.
—NESTOR CORRALES
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