By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — On the first day of the 20th Congress on Monday (June 30), Kamanggagawa Partylist, led by first-term lawmaker and labor leader Rep. Eli San Fernando, filed pro-worker bills and congressional resolutions aimed at advancing labor rights and social protections.
Rep. San Fernando stressed that the first session of the 20th Congress will coincide with the SONA (State-of-the-Nation Address) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.In a press conference, Rep. San Fernando presented Kamanggagawa’s legislative roadmap, including the push to eliminate the provincial wage rate system and establish a national living wage.
“This legislative agenda is the product of decades of struggle by Filipino workers,” San Fernando said ahead of the filing,” he said.
He noted that the Wage Board has issued a PHP50 wage increase, which is way below the PHP200 proposed legislated wage increase.
” Buwagin ang provincial rate. Panahon na para magkaroon ng nationwide legislated wage increase,” he said.
He added that they would like a “direct hire”.
Service Incentive Leave of only 5 days is provided by the Labor Code. Rep. San Fernando sought for Sick Leave and Vacation Leave.
He is also pushing for Resignation Pay.
“We are bringing these measures on day one to send a clear message: labor will no longer be sidelined, it will be heard,” he added.
Kamanggagawa filed Bill to Abolish Provincial Wage Rate System, Pushes 10 Landmark Labor Measures on First Day of 20th Congress
Rep. 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,” Rep. San Fernando said.
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.
Rep. San Fernando has refiled the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), which was already passed on Third Reading in the 19th Congress.
He refiled 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. San Fernando is calling DOLE Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma as “Boy AJ (Assumption of Jurisdiction)”.
He stressed that the government is the no. 1 violator of the Labor Code because of the number of COS (Contract of Service) and Jo’s (Job Orders) who don’t have security of tenure.
Rep. San Fernando also clarified that the ten measures filed today are just the beginning.
“There is a limit of 10 House Bills and Resolutions as of this time,” he said.
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,” Rep. San Fernando said.
” We will be cordial. We will respect the House leadership and will be working with fellow Congressmen,” he added.
Rep. San Fernando is pushing for at least 10 sick leave and 10 vacation leave, but those companies with existing 15, we’ll respect that.
The legislated wage increase of PHP200 was already in the BiCam, but Senate President Francis” Chiz” did not work on it and the Office of the President (OP) did not certify it as urgent.
Rep. San Fernando said that they are already agreeable with the PHP100 legislated wage increase, but it was not passed into law in the 19th Congress.
He will be filing a resolution calinng for an investigation-in-aid of legislation pertaining to the COs and JOs workers in government.
Rep. San Fernando slammed the new PHP50 wage increase, pointing out that the private workers would not live with such an increase and it will just go to transportation fare.
He urged businessmen such as the ECOP (Employers Confederation of the Philippines) not to frighten the workers, but rather, treat them as business partners.
Rep.. San Fernando stressed that there are 51 million workers in the formal sector alone.
He expressed the intention to spend his PHP300,000 monthly salary as Congressman to support and help the workers until the end.
The Kamanggagawa Partylist expressed optimism on the passage of a new legislated wage increase, considering that several lawmakers have expressed their intention and willingness to co-sponsor or co-author the proposed House Bills and Resolutions filed by Kamanggagawa Partylist on Monday.
Rep. San Fernando is supportive of the action of Sen. Raffy Tulfo in conducting inspection of private companies, including health issues.
Considering that TUCP National President and House Deputy Speaker Democrito Mendoza has access to Malacanang, Rep. San Fernando said that they will try to have his proposed bills certified as urgent by President Marcos, Jr. and the workers’ rights will be mentioned in the SONA of the President. ###
