Senator Risa Hontiveros is now pushing for a bill that would protect the rights and welfare of the increasing number of Filipino workers in the gig economy, which covers delivery riders and other freelancers.
In filing Senate Bill No. 1373, or the Protektadong Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders at Raketera (POWERR) Act, Hontiveros said it is imperative to empower the country’s delivery riders and freelancers.
“Ang pagpasa nito ay magbibigay sa kanila ng kaukulang social protection katulong ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan (Passage of this measure will provide them ample social protection with the help of other government agencies),” Hontiveros said.
“This will guarantee that the rights of the delivery riders and online freelancers are protected. It will mandate the state to craft standards for regulations in relation to the services that these workers perform,” she added.
The proposed law specifically requires that workers of online platforms be paid at least the legally mandated minimum wage, whether it be on an hourly or per-task basis.
The bill also seeks to include a portability mechanism of social protection programs in which the online providers should ensure that the workers are enrolled in government social protection programs such as PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG among others.
The bill also requires employers to provide female workers with a maternity benefit upon childbirth in a manner and amount determined by the SSS.
“Because work conditions in the gig economy are often unstable, workers in this sector are more affected by economic shocks and the lack of clear rules,” she said.
“Kailangan nila ng steady income at masasandalan na mga benepisyo para may matanggap sila sakaling magsakit, mabuntis o magretiro (They need steady income and benefits they can count on so they can receive money should they get sick, pregnant or retire),” she said.
Once enacted into law, online platform workers can organize, collectively bargain and negotiate with their providers. They will also have the right to be informed about any decision or action, taken or assisted by an algorithmic system affecting their employment or working conditions.
Under the proposed law, online platforms will also be held liable for injuries sustained by the workers in the performance of their duty, especially among delivery riders. They would also be required to uphold transparency in their algorithmic management systems and placed these under human supervision.
“Despite being our ‘quarantine heroes’, their safety and health are always on the line. Kung tunay silang katuwang ng mga kumpanya para maghatid ng serbisyo, hindi ba’t nararapat lang din na may pananagutan sila sakaling may madisgrasya sa gitna ng trabaho (If the companies consider them as partners in providing service, isn’t it right if they take responsibility should something happened to them while doing their job)?” she said.
“Dapat nang tugunan ang mga hinaing ng ating delivery riders at (It’s high time we respond to the needs of our delivery riders and) online platform workers. They have been bearing the risk of labor abuses due to gaps in our laws and policies. It’s time we put their sufferings to an end,” she stressed.