House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday, May 1, led the House of Representtives in paying tribute to the thousand of Filipino workers in the country and abroad, saying the chamber will continue to pass legislation aimed at enhancing workers’ welfare.
“As we mark this important day, let us also reaffirm our commitment to the welfare of our workers. It is imperative that we continue to work towards legislation that guarantees fair labor practices, promotes safety and health standards, and ensures that the benefits of our growing economy are felt by all,” Romualdez said in his Labor Day message.
"The government is steadfast in its resolve to create more job opportunities and to foster an environment where labor rights are protected and economic opportunities flourish. We pledge to enhance our efforts in equipping our workforce with the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow through robust education and training programs,” Romualdez added.
“On this Labor Day, we join hands to honor the formidable spirit and relentless dedication of Filipino workers, the backbone of our nation. Today, we celebrate not just their hard work and resilience, but also their indispensable role in shaping the Philippines into a thriving, dynamic society,” he reiterated.
The House leader also extended his “deepest gratitude to every Filipino worker” on behalf of the House of Representatives.
“Your hard work, resilience and patriotism drive the progress of our nation. Together, let us continue to uphold and protect the dignity of labor as we move forward to a brighter and more prosperous future,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Unity Party (NUP) President Rep. Lray Villafuerte sought immediate congressional action on the pending measures that would ensure better work environment for a great number of Filipinos, appealing to the members of the Senate to pass the five pro-worker measures already approved by the House.
“We are appealing to our senators on the occasion of this year’s Labor Day celebration to consider the passage of five measures already approved by the House (of Representatives) that are meant to spell better lives for our barangay health workers (BHWs) and other healthcare providers, public servants, soldiers, teachers and freelance workers along with journalists and other media people—in step with President Marcos’ vow to leave nobody behind in his Bagong Pilipinas vision for a peaceful and prosperous country,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte had authored or co-authored these five bills with fellow Camarines Sur Reps. Luis Miguel Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata plus the Bicol Saro partylist.
"With more and more forty-something and younger Filipinos getting side gigs or part-time jobs to make both ends meet, said Villafuerte, "the Senate needs to pass its counterpart measure to the House-passed one—House Bill (HB) No. 6718—seeking to guarantee full protection to these unconventional workers against unfair labor practices amid the fast-growing global gig economy."
“The steady climb in the number of millennials and Gen Z-ers who have taken on side gigs as extra income sources gives more reason for our senators to pass a counterpart measure to HB 6718 to guarantee full protection for our freelancers who are highly vulnerable labor practices in the absence of job contracts from their employers,” Villafuerte added.
The solon also said it behooves senators to pass House Bill No. 6718, or the proposed “Freelance Workers’ Protection Act,” in consideration of the rapid growth of the global freelance economy and the consequent surge in demand for our so-called gig workers not only in the Philippines but elsewhere in the world as well.
“They are constantly at risk of unfair labor practices in the absence of work contracts with their employers,” Villafuerte said.
Villafuerte also sought Senate action on the HB No. 6557 that proposes job security for barangay health workers (BHWs) to “de-politicize” their employment in local government units (LGUs).
This is to ensure that BHWs qualified to receive a broad set of economic incentives and benefits—ranging from a P3,000 monthly allowance and hazard pay to insurance coverage and free medical plus legal services–will no longer be “at the mercy” of local chief executives who, at present, can fire them “capriciously” over their “perceived adverse political leanings.”
“With the ever increasing growth rate of our population, our BHWs are truly indispensable as basic medical frontliners in local communities. They are always in the frontline of providing maternal, newborn and child health care in the neighborhood, and act as health educators and community organizers in promoting the government’s health awareness campaigns down to the smallest unit of our society: the family. Undeniably, the nature of their work is full-time,” Villafuerte said.