Bill for media workers ‘enhanced’ protection, benefits OK’d by House panel

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on labor and employment approved Monday a consolidated bill that aims to provide media workers with “enhanced” protection, security, and benefits.

House Bill No. 454, or the proposed Media Workers’ Welfare Act, was approved by the panel headed by Rep. Juan Fidel Nograles. For debate, it will be elevated to the House plenary.

The proposed law is aimed toward “[ensuring] that our media workers be granted humane conditions of work, living wage, and comprehensive benefits package at par with the current benefits enjoyed by the labor force both in government and the private sector.” It was introduced by Reps. Jeffrey Soriano, Eric Yap, Paolo Duterte, Jocelyn Tulfo, and Ralph Tulfo.

In the 18th Congress, a similar measure – House Bill No. 8140 – was approved by the lower chamber but its version in the Senate failed to secure a final nod.

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

Soriano underscored the crucial role of media workers in upholding the Filipino people’s right to information.

“While we have the privilege to be served quality news at the expense of the said right, media workers are currently fronted by different risks and threats, sometimes even life and death situations. This is evident as we witness the presence of media workers amidst every disaster, especially during the pandemic,” he said before the panel approved the bill.

Although in support of the bill’s approval at the committee level, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro expressed intention to suggest certain amendments on the proposed measure in the plenary.

If passed into law, media workers will be entitled to overtime pay, night shift premiums, and other forms of compensation on top of the applicable minimum wage prescribed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

It likewise mandates the Social Security System, Pag-ibig Fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to cover media workers upon their employment.

Additionally, the bill requires death, disability, and media insurance benefits, among others, for media workers.

Also, based on the proposed measure, media workers are deemed regular employees six months after hiring, regardless of the nature of employment.

If required to report in dangerous areas physically, media workers will similarly be entitled to a minimum hazard pay of P500 per day.

In any case, the planned News Media Tripartite Council, which will operate under the DOLE, may increase the sum.

According to the bill, the said body will “serve as a link among various stakeholders, provide a platform where media workers and employees can agree upon mutually beneficial policies that will promote the interests of the media industry, and serve as an avenue to express their aspirations, discuss their programs or settle conflicts.”

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