House approves bill protecting freelance workers on 2nd reading
MANILA, Philippines — Members of the House of Representatives have approved a bill seeking the protection of freelance workers.
During Wednesday’s session, members of the lower chamber of Congress approved on second reading House Bill No. 8817 or the “Freelance Workers Protection Act” through voice voting.
Under the proposed measure, it read that any hiring party obtaining or retaining the services of a freelance worker must have a written contract before services are rendered.
Aside from this, freelance workers who are assigned to be present physically in the workplace or those in field assignments shall be paid a night differential of not less than 10 percent of one’s regular compensation for each hour of work performed between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The proposed measure also defined the following as an unlawful practice for any hiring party:
- Pay the compensation due to the freelance worker later than 15 days after the date of payment of compensation stated in the written contract or after the rendition of services in cases where there is no written contract;
- Require as a condition of payment of compensation, at any time after a freelance worker has commenced rendition of practices, that a freelance worker accept less than the specified contract price; and
- Commit any act of retaliation against a freelance worker.
“A person who commits any of the unlawful practices aggrieved by a violation of this Act may file a complaint with the Department of Labor and Employment, through the Undersecretary for Workers with Special Concerns, without prejudice to the filing of a civil action in appropriate cases,” the bill read.
