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Politics

DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS GETS SENATE OK

The Senate stamped its approval on the bill creating the Department of Migrant Workers, in a major advance for legislation the administration has pushed as an urgent measure. Senator Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Senate labor committee, hailed the passage on 3rd and final reading of Senate Bill No. 2234, which organizes the proposed Department […]

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Politics

RUSH VACCINATION OF OUTBOUND OFWS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian called on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to expedite the vaccination of outbound Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly those scheduled for deployment this year. “Bakunahan na natin sila habang nandito sila sa Pilipinas para maaari na silang makabalik agad sa trabaho,” Gatchalian stressed. “Kailangan nating […]

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HIKE 2022 AID FOR DISTRESSED OFWS – VILLANUEVA

The fund intended for helping Filipinos overseas, including over 10 million overseas Filipinos, in the 2022 national budget should be augmented to reflect how the government values the welfare of overseas Filipinos, Senator Joel Villanueva said. According to the National Expenditure Program for next year released by the DBM recently, Villanueva said the Assistance to […]

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PROTECT FREELANCERS FROM EXPLOITATION – VILLANUEVA

The Senate is rushing legislation that will put a “mantle of protection” on some 1.5 million freelancers and gig economy workers whose numbers ballooned during the pandemic. Senator Joel Villanueva, the labor committee chair who is spearheading the codification of their rights, said freelancers are the most vulnerable from abuse and exploitation. Part of the […]

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P8K WAGE SUBSIDY TO AID WORKERS – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva expressed support to the proposed P8,000-wage subsidy program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to help business owners retain their workers while economic activity gradually restarts with the easing of quarantine measures nationwide. Villanueva said the proposal was a way to “diversify the government’s ayuda program” to assist MSMEs, one of […]

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PROBE HEALTH WORKERS’ DELAYED BENEFITS – LOPEZ

A lawmaker at the House of Representatives is seeking a congressional inquiry into the reported delay in the release of allowances and other benefits of medical workers at the frontlines of the country’s battle against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Manila 1st District Representative Manuel Luis Lopez filed House Resolution No. 1704 which calls for an investigation, […]

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SENATE RATIFIES LABOR EDUCATION BILL – VILLANUEVA

The Senate ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the labor education bill, a measure that seeks to improve education and awareness on labor laws, according to Senator Joel Villanueva. Villanueva, chair of the Senate labor committee, described the development as a “golden opportunity” for both employers and workers to achieve harmony in the workplace […]

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LABOR EDUCATION BILL GETS SENATE OK – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva hailed the Senate approval on third and final reading the measure that, if enacted into law, would require tertiary education institutions and tech-voc training institutes to integrate labor education subjects in their general education curriculum. “We are one step closer to an empowered workforce, one where both employer and employee are informed […]

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AVERT 2-YEAR DEPLOYMENT DROUGHT OF FILIPINO SEAFARERS – VILLANUEVA

A two-year drought in deployment of Filipino seafarers looms large on the horizon unless the government makes drastic interventions such as the reopening of more airports and seaports to expedite the movement of Filipino seafarers while minimizing their risk of being infected of COVID-19, according to Senator Joel Villanueva. When the Senate labor committee resumes […]

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PREVENTING MASS LAYOFFS SHOULD BE GOVERNMENT PRIORITY – ABANTE

House Minority Leader Benny Abante Jr. on Labor Day urged the government to step up programs to prevent mass layoffs as a result of the economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.According to Abante: “Labor Day reminds us of the critical role of workers in our country; our economy is built on the backs of labor, […]