DOLE exec asks Congress for law to benefit informal workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday expressed hope the incoming Congress will pass a measure that will uphold the rights of workers in the informal sector.

DOLE Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns director Atty. Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said that the 18th Congress failed to pass the Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy.

“Ito po ay tinalakay sa 18th congress kaso hindi po tayo pinalad. Ito yung bill sa integrated at holistic approach in addressing the concerns of the workers in the informal economy… inaasahan natin sa susunod na administrasyon under President Marcos ito ay muling susulong dahil ito ay kailangan ng mga manggagawa sa informal sector,” Perida-Trayvilla said during the Laging Handa briefing.

The proposed law seeks equal rights for workers in the formal and informal economies by giving affordable social protection and security in the workplace.

According to Perida-Trayvilla, there are more than 17 million workers in the informal sector or 36.4% of Filipino laborers.

Aside from daily low income, she noted that access to social protection and greater exposure to violence as well as harassment are among the challenges faced by informal workers.

Marcos had earlier tapped former labor secretary Bienvenido Laguesma to lead the department.

Laguesma said he wanted to create a “workable formula” to balance the concerns of employers and workers and to address the joblessness in the country brought about by the ill effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

He said he would push to spur local employment, given the “social costs” of overseas employment.—LDF, GMA News