(File photo)
MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday filed a measure aimed at protecting the rights and welfare of so-called quarantine heroes, now increasing in numbers and becoming regular fixtures in the service industry.
The senator has delivery riders and other freelancers in mind when she filed Senate Bill No. 1373 or the Protektadong Online Workers, Entrepreneurs, Riders at Raketera (POWERR) Act.
Describing them as quarantine heroes because they mushroomed during the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Hontiveros said the measure will mandate the state to craft standards for regulations in relation to the services of delivery riders and online freelancers.
The proposed legislation requires that workers of online platforms be paid at least the legally mandated minimum wage, whether it be on an hourly or per-task basis.
“Ang layon ng POWERR Act ay ma-empower ang delivery riders at freelancers. Ang pagpasa nito ay nagbibigay sa kanila ng kaukulang social protection katulong ang iba't ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan (POWERR Act aims to empower the delivery riders and freelancers. The passing of this bill will give them social protection with the help of other government agencies),” Hontiveros said in a news release.
Workers must be enrolled in government social protection programs such as Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Social Security System, and Home Mutual Development Fund, among others, according to the bill.
Female workers shall also be provided with maternity benefits upon childbirth.
"Because work conditions in the gig economy are often unstable, workers in this sector are more affected by economic shocks and the lack of clear rules. Kailangan nila ng steady income at masasandalan na mga benepisyo para may matanggap sila sakaling magsakit, mabuntis o magretiro (They need a steady income that they can lean on in case of ailment, pregnancy or retirement),” she said.
Once the bill is passed, online platform workers can organize, collectively bargain, and negotiate with their employers.
They will also have the right to be informed about any decision or action, taken or assisted by an algorithmic system, affecting their employment or working conditions.
Online platforms will be held liable for injuries sustained by the workers in the performance of their duties, especially among delivery riders.
The online platforms are required to uphold transparency in their algorithmic management systems and place these under human supervision. (PNA)
