House OKs media workers welfare bill on final reading

The House of Representatives on Monday approved on final reading a proposed measure seeking to provide enhanced protection, security, and benefits for media workers.

Voting 25-0, the chamber passed on the third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 454 or the proposed Media Workers Welfare Act, which provides security of tenure for media personnel as it deems them as regular employees six months from the start of employment, among other benefits.

Under the proposed measure, the following insurance coverage benefits shall also be enjoyed by media workers: death benefit of P200,000 for each media worker who died in the line of duty; disability benefit of up to P200,000 for each media worker who suffered a total or partial disability, whether permanent to temporary, arising from any injury sustained in the line of duty; and up to P100,000 medical insurance benefit for each media worker

These are in addition to those already enjoyed under the programs of the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

The legislation also mandates the Department of Labor and Employment to monitor compliance with the provisions of this Act.

Further, the bill also states that media entities will be responsible for all content released under their name and as such, the owner of media entities or franchise holder will be liable for claims arising from gross negligence, malicious acts, and violation of the proposed measure in connection with the work of block timers and media workers, regardless of the nature of engagement.

Liability won’t be applied to media entities provided that owners of the media entities or franchise holders can prove that due diligence was exercised or that the fault is attributable solely to the concerned block timer or media worker.

HB 454 likewise creates the News Media Tripartite Council which will serve as a platform for media workers and employers to discuss and agree on mutually beneficial policies, including the settlement of conflicts and the formulation of programs that support both sectors' aspirations, and thereby promote the growth and development of the media industry.—LDF, GMA Integrated News