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Mandatory insurance coverage for construction workers sought

By Leonel Abasola

December 6, 2022, 4:05 pm

<p>Senator Sherwin Gatchalian <em>(PNA file photo) </em></p>

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (PNA file photo) 

MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday filed a measure requiring employers for mandatory insurance coverage to construction workers citing the hazard and danger of their nature of work.

In filing Senate Bill 821 or the Construction Workers Insurance Act, it seeks to require employers of construction workers to provide mandatory group personal accident insurance coverage to guarantee quick and efficient delivery of indemnity to injured workers, Gatchalian said the insurance must take effect from the day the employee reported to work until the completion of the construction project or upon the termination of the employment contract.

“I believe that providing our construction workers with insurance coverage will compel their employers to adopt better safety mechanisms that will ensure the safety and security of their workers. Further, this will ensure quick and efficient delivery of indemnity to construction workers, which is the main intent of this measure,” the senator said in his statement.

The insurance coverage, according to Gatchalian shall compensate a reasonable amount for an accident that will cause the disability or even the death of the worker.

The premiums to be paid to the insurance company shall be completely paid for by the employer and shall not be deducted from the wages of the construction workers.

Minimum insurance coverage should be at least PHP75,000 for natural death, PHP100,000 for accidental death, PHP150,000 for death in the line of work, PHP50,000 for loss of both hands, PHP50,000 for loss of both feet, PHP50,000 for loss of one hand and sight of one eye, and PHP50,000 for loss of one foot and sight of one eye.

The construction workers will also be entitled to receive fair and prompt medical benefits in cases where the illness is directly attributable to or was developed in the course of employment.

Hindi maikakaila na sa maraming pagkakataon, ang trabaho ng mga construction workers ay mapanganib kung kaya’t kailangan nating pangalagaan ang kanilang kaligtasan at kalusugan (We cannot deny that in many instances, work in the construction is very dangerous that’s why we need to take good care of their safety and health),” Gatchalian said. (PNA) 

 

 

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