Senate hears bills on protection of ‘small’ showbiz, media workers
PHOTO BY SENATE PRIB\
SEN. Jose Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada presided over the Committee on Labor’s hearing on proposed measures providing protection and benefits to entertainment and media workers Tuesday, August 29, 2023.
Estrada said the “Eddie Garcia bill” and the “Media Workers Welfare bill” not only seek to ensure the rights and welfare of workers in the movie, television, radio, entertainment, and media industries but also aim to provide guidelines to guarantee their health and safety at all times.
It was reported that several members of the local entertainment industry continuously lobbied for the swift approval by the Senate this year with consolidated house bill version.
Members of the Senate that came from the entertainment world include Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Lito Lapid, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, Senator Ramon Bong Revilla and the daughter of Susan Roces and Fernando Poe jr, Sen. Grace Poe.
Sen. Padilla, during the hearing of the Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, pushed for better working conditions for “small” showbiz workers such as talents and crew.
Padilla, who rose to fame as an actor, inquired about their food and standby areas. He also asked concerned parties if they are amenable to a proposed 14-hour workday for movie industry workers as proposed by producers — which is longer than the eight to 12-hour workday stipulated in House Bill No. 1270 or the “Eddie Garcia Bill”.
Iza Calzado of the League of Filipino Actors (AKTOR) who was present during the hearing stated that they understand the challenges producers are facing and they agree with the 14-hour workday proposal inclusive of meal and rest breaks.
Padilla said it is high time that these entertainment workers be given the right protection under the law.
