GOV’T-BACKED LABOR BILLS APPROVED BY CONGRESS

MANILA, March 8, 2013-Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is proud to report that several administration sponsored labor measures were approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives during the 15^thCongress.

 

Sen. Estrada, who steered the passage of these measures in his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, cites that among these are the laws lifting the nightwork prohibition for women workers, strengthening conciliation-mediation as voluntary mode for labor dispute settlement, and strengthening tripartism, and the landmark Batas Kasambahay.

 

“Approval of these government-backed legislative measures certainly prove that the Senate and its Committee on Labor are effective and supportive partners of the current administration in pursuing an agenda of providing equal employment opportunities for all and maintaining industrial peace through democratic mechanisms and speedy labor dispute resolution,” Jinggoy asserts.

 

The rationalization of night work prohibition for women workers was identified as one of the priority measures submitted by the Aquino cabinet during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). Sen. Estrada immediately acted on this as it was passed into law (Republic Act 10151) last June 2011.

 

The Batas Kasambahay, which updates compensation and benefits for household service workers, was also identified as a priority measure of the President as mentioned in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) in accordance to his social contract to the people.

 

Batas Kasambahay was signed into law last January 18, 2013 as Republic Act 10361 after languishing in the legislative mill for nearly two decades.

 

In connection, Sen. Estrada also co-sponsored Senate Resolution 816 concurring with the ratification of the ILO Convention 189 or the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention saying that such move will send a strong signal to the international community that the country places on the promotion of the rights of domestic workers, including migrant domestic workers.

 

Further, the committee also probed the maltreatment case of Bonita Baran and incorporated its findings to enhance the provisions of then the Domestic Workers’ Bill on welfare protection, rescue and rehabilitation of abused house helpers, and dispute settlement.

 

The bills strengthening conciliation-mediation and tripartism, which were already approved by both houses of Congress and are awaiting the signature of the President, meanwhile are measures endorsed and closely monitored by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) by way of complying with Philippines’ commitment to the International Labor Organization.

 

“In the forthcoming 16^th Congress, this representation will remain committed to introducing bills and supporting measures that protect our labor force and uphold their rights,” Sen. Estrada concludes.