Press Release - Jinggoy: All forms of abuses in the workplace for entertainment workers punishable der the Eddie Garcia law

IN addition to ensuring social welfare benefits and insurance for work-related incidents, including deaths, the recently enacted Republic Act No. 11996, also known as the "Eddie Garcia Act," protects movie and television industry workers from all forms of workplace abuse, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada today said.

Television and movie companies are likewise mandated under the law to develop a mechanism to address and resolve sexual harassment complaints, Estrada added.

"Hindi na uubra ang pagbabalewala sa mga reklamong ng pang-aabuso, physical violence man ito, harassment o mga gawain na nagpapababa sa dignidad ng manggagawa dahil nakasaad sa Section 14 ng batas na dapat may mga pinapairal na patakaran, tuntunin at regulasyon alinsunod sa mga probisyon ng RA 7877 o ang Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, maging ng RA 11313 o ang Safe Spaces Act, at RA 11036 o ang Mental Health Act," the Senate leader said following the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Eddie Garcia Act on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Estrada steered the passage of the measure in the Senate.

The law mandates employers to provide workers and independent contractors with a copy of their contract, which must include the job position and description, length of employment, hours of work, details of compensation, and grievance mechanism.

Workers are entitled to wage-related and government-mandated benefits such as Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

The law likewise mandates an eight-hour workday, which can be extended to a maximum of 14 hours. In no case shall the number of work hours be more than 60 hours in a week. Workers will be paid overtime for work exceeding eight hours a day, unless it is already incorporated in the employment contract which stipulates a higher compensation.

RA 11996 also prohibits any form of discrimination in employment.

"Katuparan ito ng dekada nang minimithi ng mga minamahal ko na kasamahan sa mundo ng telebisyon at pelikula, ang mabigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon ang kanilang kapakanan at mga karapatan. Peculiar at unique nga kung ituring ang movie at TV