Go seeks enhanced benefits for media, entertainment workers

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has filed a bill seeking to provide enhanced protection, security and benefits for media and entertainment workers.

In the Senate Bill 1183 or the proposed Media and Entertainment Workers’ Welfare Act, Go said in the explanatory note that media and entertainment workers, as part of the labor force, play a vital role in society and the economy.

“They provide news, entertainment and other essential contents we need to keep us posted on all the current events happening around us,” the senator said, noting that behind the reports and contents, media and entertainment workers “trudge day and night, amid the threat of COVID-19, just to provide people with crisp information and coverage.”

“Media and entertainment workers’ dedication for public service is truly undeniable. In recognition for their invaluable contribution to society and the hazardous circumstances they are exposed to during crises, it is right and proper to commensurate their hard work with just emoluments and added labor protection under the law,” he added.

To achieve this, SB 1183 proposes to provide enhanced protection, security and incentives for media workers through additional health insurance package, overtime and night differential pay and other benefits.

Under the bill, there must be a written contract signed by the media entity and the employee to guarantee utmost protection from unjust compensation and to ensure that their rights and welfare are well protected and not neglected.

In case of failure to enter into a written agreement, the media or entertainment entity or the hiring party will be liable for a fine, depending on the amount of the agreement involved.

The bill also stipulates that, regardless of the nature of engagement, their pay and related benefits must not be lower than the minimum standards set by law.

Go’s proposed measure also provides guidelines for the working hours in the sector. Normal hours of work must not exceed eight hours, “except when the exigencies of the service so require.” In such a case, the maximum hours of work must not exceed 16 hours in any 24-hour period.

For elderly workers, however, the maximum hours of work must not exceed 12 hours per day, while work hours of children must adhere to the provisions of Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act” and RA 9231 or the “Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child Act.”

In all cases, media and entertainment workers will also be entitled to overtime pay for work rendered beyond the eight-hour normal work per day in accordance with law or applicable collective bargaining agreement, whichever is higher.

Nightshift differential for work rendered between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day must also be provided to them. Media workers who are required to physically report for work in dangerous areas must be provided with hazard pay.

However, micro and small enterprises may apply for an exemption for the grant of hazard pay, as defined under RA 6977 or the “Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.”

Media workers will also be provided with additional insurance benefits such as death and disability benefits as well as receive reimbursement of actual medical expenses if they are hospitalized or require medical attendance for injuries sustained while in the line of duty.

Finally, the Department of Labor and Employment will spearhead the creation of an industry tripartite council for entertainment and news media, which may be separate or as one industry. They will serve as the platform of the industry and its stakeholders in crafting policy and programs that will affect them and the industry as a whole.