QUEZON CITY - On the opening day of the 20th Congress, Kamanggagawa Partylist, led by labor leader and first-time lawmaker Rep. Eli San Fernando, filed eight landmark bills and two major house resolutions to kick off an aggressive legislative campaign for labor justice, wage equality, and dignified work for all.
"These bills are more than ink on paper. They represent the decades-long struggle of workers to be seen, heard, and protected. Today, we take our fight from the picket line to the halls of Congress," said Rep. Eli.
At the forefront of Kamanggagawa's agenda is the National Minimum Wage Act, which seeks to abolish the provincial wage system and establish a single, unified minimum wage nationwide. Anchored on "equal pay for equal work," the bill includes a five-year transition to align regional wages and abolish Regional Wage Boards, with their functions absorbed by a strengthened National Wages and Productivity Commission.
"No worker should earn less simply because they were born or live in a different region. Wage justice cannot wait any longer," Rep. Eli San Fernando said.
In addition to the National Minimum Wage Act, Kamanggagawa also filed the following pro-worker bills and resolutions:
• Expanded Sick and Vacation Leave Act - Grants all workers, regardless of employment status, a minimum of 10 paid sick days and 10 paid vacation days per year.
Abolition of Labor-Only Contracting - Repeals Articles 106-109 of the Labor Code to end labor-only contracting schemes that strip workers of job security and benefits.
Repeal of Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) - Eliminates the AJ power of the Labor Secretary, which has been used to suppress strikes and union actions.
• Micro and Small Enterprise (MSES) Subsidy Program - Creates a permanent subsidy program offering wage support, rent aid, and tax incentives to help small businesses retain workers without resorting to unfair practices.
• Resignation Pay Act - Provides fair resignation pay to private sector employees who voluntarily resign under justifiable conditions.
Strike Rights for Government Workers - Repeals Section 28(c) of the Civil Service Law to lift the blanket ban on strikes by public sector employees.
• Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers - Refiles a comprehensive bill ensuring fair compensation, security of tenure, legal protection, and career support for over 250,000 BHWs nationwide.
House Resolution on Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) Workers in Government - Calls for a congressional inquiry into the widespread and exploitative use of JO/COS work arrangements that deny government workers regular status and benefits.
House Resolution on Gig Workers' Rights - Seeks an investigation into the illegal dismissal and non-regularization of gig economy workers, including riders and delivery workers, despite Supreme Court rulings recognizing them as regular employees.
Rep. Eli also clarified that the ten measures filed today are just the beginning. Kamanggagawa Partylist is drafting additional legislation targeting the needs of seafarers, private hospital workers, farmers, fisherfolks, construction workers, security guards, and others who remain at the margins of labor protection.
"The 20th Congress marks the start of a relentless fight to secure dignity, protection, and justice for all Filipino workers. Manggagawa sa ospital, sa barangay, sa palengke, sa pabrika, sa probinsya-we will ensure that this Congress works for you," declared Rep. Eli.
For questions and clarifications, kindly coordinate with Yves Garcia at 0917 135 9203.
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