Tolentino eyes hotline for gig economy worker grievances

Acting Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino on Wednesday said he plans to create a hotline to address the complaints and needs of gig workers and freelancers.

“I intend to put up a hotline that will cater to the complaints and needs of our gig economy workers, mga freelancers,” Tolentino said in an interview on “Balitanghali.”

“Kailangan natin bigyang ng recognition din and protection 'yung ating mga platform riders, 'yung mga nagde-deliver ng kape ninyo hatinggabi, 'yung nauulanan, hinahabol ng aso. Kailangan magkaroon din po ng karampatang proteksyon sila,” he added.

(We also need to recognize and protect our platform riders, the ones who deliver your coffee at midnight, who get caught in the rain, and even get chased by dogs. They also deserve proper protection.)

According to the US Chamber of Commerce, a gig worker performs individual tasks, short-term projects, or ongoing work for clients as an independent worker. These gigs may be project-based, hourly, or part-time and can be either temporary or ongoing contracts.

Tolentino said gig workers make up 42% of the country’s workforce if they are included in the informal sector.

Meanwhile, he also bared plans to address the education-to-employment pipeline and the use of artificial intelligence in the hiring process.

"Siguro maglalabas ako ng isang administrative order na sa hiring processes ay dapat ilahad na nila kung 'yung evaluation is with the use of AI. Although we recognize the value of algorithmic management, eh dapat tao pa rin ang mag-evaluate po sa kakayahan at kapasidad ng isang pumapasok na empleyado," Tolentino said.

(I’m planning to issue an administrative order requiring that hiring processes disclose if AI is used in evaluations. While we recognize the value of algorithmic management, human evaluators should still assess the skills and capabilities of job applicants.)

Malacañang on Monday announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed the former senator as acting DOLE secretary.

“Tiwala si Pangulong Marcos Jr. na mapamumunuan ni incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino ang DOLE dahil sa kanyang kakayahan at malawak na karanasan sa paghawak ng mahahalagang tungkulin sa pamahalaan, local o national,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing.

(President Marcos Jr. is confident that incoming Acting Secretary Tolentino will lead the DOLE because of his ability and extensive experience in holding important government positions, local or national.)

She said DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma's health condition prompted the appointment of a new labor secretary. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/ VAL, GMA News