By Leslie Ann Aquino
Labor leaders are hoping for the immediate passage of the Actors Occupational Safety and Health Standard Bill, or the proposed Eddie Garcia Act, which aims to protect workers in the entertainment industry from work-related health hazards.
Eddie Garcia (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“We hope it would be passed as soon as possible to make sure compliance and avoid life-risking workplace mishaps,” said Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Spokesman Alan Tanjusay.
“The proposed measure covers emerging show business production occupational safety and health issues and is comprehensive enough to ensure certain standards in the industry,” he added.
PM Chairman Rene Magtubo said lawmakers which for a time have worked in show business, should actually take the initiative in pushing for the passage of the bill.
But Federation of Free Workers (FFW) Vice President Julius Cainglet said even without the proposed measure, the showbiz should engage in a dialogue to determine what is best for the industry and its workers.
“We hope producers and directors on one side, and actors and other employees on the other, should engage in social dialogue to determine what is best for the industry and all its workers,” he said.
1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Michael Romero had earlier filed HB 181, which makes it mandatory for safety and medical personnel to be deployed in all workplaces and areas during working hours; while setting the standard working hours of between 8 to 12 hours.
The veteran actor died last month after being in a coma stemming from the cervical spine injury that he sustained while filming for a teleserye in Manila.