AROUND P6.5 billion in public funds will be needed annually to cover a proposed subsidy for the social insurance contribution of informal sector workers, according to the lawmaker who recommended the provision. Rep. Arlene D. Brosas of women’s rights party-list Gabriela said the latest estimate is based on about 17 million Filipinos considered to be […]
Tag: workers
Senator seeks mandatory insurance coverage for construction workers
A SENATOR has filed a bill requiring the provision of insurance coverage to all construction workers, with adequate indemnification for any accident that causes disability or death. “I believe that providing our construction workers with insurance coverage will compel their employers to adopt better safety mechanisms that will ensure the safety and security of their […]
IRR of Creative Industry Devt. law signed by trade dept. secretary
TRADE Secretary Fred Pascual has signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11904, otherwise known as the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (PCIDA). The PCIDA, which lapsed into law on July 28, 2022, mandates the development of a vibrant Philippine creative industries by protecting and strengthening the rights and capacities of […]
Target for training tourism workers set at 100,000
THE Department of Tourism (DoT) hopes to train 100,000 tourism workers in 2023 to improve the visitor experience, Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said. Speaking at the recent 22nd World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit, Ms. Frasco said: “Next year, our goal is to train 100,000 tourism workers harnessing the seven values of […]
On Bonifacio Day: Workers rally for wage hike as Marcos hails them as ‘modern-day heroes’
A SENATOR on Wednesday urged the government to develop a comprehensive labor and compensation plan, backing workers and activists who held a rally on Wednesday to push for better wages as the Philippines commemorated the birth anniversary of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., meanwhile, hailed workers as the country’s “modern-day heroes” […]
Senate bill to require 13th month pay for non-permanent gov’t workers
A BILL requiring a 13th month pay for contractual and job order workers in government agencies has been filed at the Senate. “In light of the persistent rise in the inflation rate, which led to an extraordinary increase in prices of food, fuel, and other commodities, Filipino workers, including contractual and job order personnel of […]
Singapore’s gig workers to get work injury, pension coverage
SINGAPORE — Singapore will extend work injury insurance and pension coverage to food delivery and ride-hailing workers under proposed legislative changes that it aims to implement as early as late 2024, the Manpower Ministry said. The new rules will affect about 73,000 workers who deliver food or drive passengers for companies such as Grab, Gojek, […]
DMW distributes aid to victims of Myanmar recruitment scam
THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has provided cash aid to Filipinos who fell victim to an online illegal recruitment scheme allegedly run by Chinese offshore companies in Myanmar. In a statement late Wednesday, the DMW said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration gave P10,000 each to the 12 victims of the scheme, who were promised […]
Solons file bill mandating benefits to private health workers
OPPOSITION lawmakers on Tuesday filed a bill that seeks to provide benefits such as hazard pay, subsistence allowance and longevity pay to private health workers. “Despite the fact that health workers in public and private facilities perform the same tasks and face the same risks in providing health services and saving the lives of Filipinos […]
Health workforce ‘not in sync’ with advances in tech, say educators
By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter PUBLIC-PRIVATE partnerships and a modernized curriculum can address the lack of expertise that prevents Filipino healthcare workers from taking advantage of innovations in their field, educators said. “We have all spent a lot of time onboarding nursing and clinical graduates but they’re unfortunately not in sync with what’s needed out […]
Healthcare workers in 4 QC hospitals offered free rides
MOTORCYCLE taxi hailing service firm MOVE IT, a subsidiary of Grab Philippines, is extending its partnership with a party-list group for the provision of free rides to healthcare workers. The extended free service will cover health workers in four state-owned hospitals in Quezon City. These are: East Avenue Medical Center and National Kidney and Transplant […]
Thousands of workers evicted in Qatar’s capital ahead of World Cup
DOHA — Qatar has emptied apartment blocks housing thousands of foreign workers in the same areas in the center of the capital Doha where visiting soccer fans will stay during the World Cup, workers who were evicted from their homes told Reuters. They said more than a dozen buildings had been evacuated and shut down […]
Bill granting gig-economy workers employee status filed in Senate
A BILL establishing an employer-employee relationship between online platforms and gig-economy workers has been filed in the Senate, which will bar workers, including freelancers, from being treated as an independent contractor. Senate Bill 1373 is known as the proposed Protektadong Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders at Raketera Act, filed on Oct. 6. It also requires that […]
Further P11.56B released for healthcare worker allowances
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it released a further P11.56 billion to the Department of Health (DoH) to fund the health emergency allowance claims of public and private healthcare workers between January and June. The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) was approved on Wednesday for the One COVID-19 allowance (OCA) of over […]
DBM releases P1B for risk allowance of healthcare frontliners
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it released P1.04 billion to the Department of Health (DoH) to cover allowances for government and private-sector health workers who worked during the pandemic. The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) was approved on Monday for the special risk allowance (SRA) of eligible frontliners who were involved in […]
Amendments sought on bills protecting freelancers, workers in the informal sector
LABOR and employers groups as well as government agencies have sought amendments to bills seeking to protect freelancers and workers in the informal sector. Among the provisions that were cited for clarification include the definition of freelancers with regards the more general informal sector workers, compensation rates provided under contracts, and social security benefits. “We […]
4,000 workers retrenched; Lapu asks DSWD for help
THE Lapu-Lapu City Government will request the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) to provide assistance to around 4,000 workers who were reportedly retrenched from their companies in Lapu-Lapu City.The City Council approved on mass motion during its fifth special session Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, Resolution 16-0496-2022 authored by Councilor Annabeth Cuizon.Kim Francisco, head […]
DMW to streamline hiring process for seafarers, OFWs
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will trim the requirements for the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and address the shortcomings on seafarer education and training, said DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” V. Ople. “DMW’s mission is to be OFW-centric, putting the worker in the center of the universe of all our operations, services, and […]
House body approves freelance bill
THE HOUSE of Representatives labor committee on Monday approved a measure that seeks to protect the rights of freelance workers and ensure they work under humane conditions. Consolidated House Bill 615 directs the employer and freelance worker to sign a hiring contract. Pangasinan Rep. Christopher V.P. De Venecia, who filed the bill, said freelancers are […]
Tell it to SunStar: National minimum wage needed to address gender pay gap
Women workers continue to face job discrimination and are generally found to be paid less than men. This is one of the compelling reasons why a group of Filipino women workers is urging the Philippine Congress to legislate a national minimum wage and mandate companies to pay its workers the amount reflecting the current cost […]