Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla has filed a bill outlining safety measures and other benefits for workers in the Philippine entertainment industry to protect the welfare of actors and workers in the industry.
Padilla, who started in the “showbiz” industry in the 1980s, dubbed his Senate Bill 450 the "Eddie Garcia Law" in memory of the veteran actor who died in 2019.
"The bill, called 'Eddie Garcia Law' as a tribute to the veteran actor, is a response to the urgent call of the members of the television and movie industry for the government to provide guidelines for safe and better working conditions for the protection of the workers' welfare in the industry," Padilla, chairman the Senate committee on public information and mass media, said.
The bill got the support of Joel Egco, former president of the National Press Club (NPC) and first executive director of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.
Egco called on Padilla to author a similar bill that would ensure minimum benefits for media, adding a bill - House Bill 304 - has already been filed in the House of Representatives by Representatve Luis Villafuerte Jr.
"Sana naman ay i-author din ni Senator Padilla itong ating nabinbin na panukalang batas media workers welfare bill. Lahat na media supportive din sa Eddie Garcia bill (I hope Senator Padilla also authors a bill for media workers' welfare. All media workers are supportive of the Eddie Garcia bill)," Egco said in an interview on DZRJ.
"Hindi matatawaran ang kondisyon ng ating mga kapatid sa media kasama ang nagtatrabaho sa larangan ng pelikula at TV at papalawig at papalakas ng demokrasya (We cannot discount the condition of our brethren in in the media as well as in show business, amid their role in strengthening our democracy)," he added.
In his bill, Padilla lamented that Garcia, a veteran and multi-awarded actor, died following an accident on set due to supposed negligence on safety in the workplace.
Padilla said this is aside from the work conditions in the industry including long hours for shooting, low pay, stress, and overnight and overtime work.
"These work conditions pose risks to the safety, health, and even life of workers. Most recent of which was the unfortunate death of Mr. Eddie Garcia, a veteran and multi-awarded actor who was met by an unfortunate accident on set due to supposed negligence on safety in the workplace. The death of other known personalities, Director Gilbert Perez in 2008 and Directors Wenn Deramas and Francis Xavier Pasion in 2016, were also attributed to poor working conditions in the industry," he noted.
Under the bill, Workers or Independent Contractors (WIC) will be protected in the workplace during work hours. They are also entitled to benefits, safety, and fair compensation.
Normal work hours will be eight hours in a day, extendable to 12 hours. WICs aged 60 and up may work more than 12 hours provided the sign a waiver prescribed by the Department of Labor and Employment. Minors cannot work more than 60 hours a week.
A night shift premium of 10 percent of the WIC's rate will be paid for every hour worked between 10 PM and 6 AM. There will also be ample time for rest, lasting at least 12 hours.
Employees are covered by benefits from the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth, along with retirement benefits.
Meanwhile, employers are to shoulder costs for the WICs' needs including food, water, PWD-friendly and gender-considerate toilets, private dressing rooms, safe holding areas with emergency exits, free accommodation, and dedicated emergency vehicles.
The bill also mandates the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officer of the employee to conduct a risk assessment of the workplace to prevent possible hazards.
On the other hand, WICs can form labor organizations for collective bargaining and mutual aid benefit.
For its part, the DOLE shall establish a Film, Television and Radio Entertainment Industry Tripartite Council to act as a link among stakeholders and to resolve potential conflicts.