Returning Senator Jinggoy Estrada bared his top 10 priority bills centered on the labor sector and workers welfare. As the chairman of the Senate Labor Committee of the 19th Congress set to convene on July 25, Estrada underscored the importance of amending the Labor Code as his top priority to ensure adequate support, benefits, and training to equip the country’s workforce.
“I intend to push for bills and legislations that will really benefit the labor sector. Layunin natin na matiyak ang patas at disenteng sweldo para sa ating mga manggagawa at tulungan ang ating mga kababayan na makahanap ng trabaho ayon sa kanilang kasanayan at kakayahan,” Estrada said.
True to his campaign battlecry, “Trabaho mo ay sigurado,” Estrada will also push for the establishment of the Magna Carta for workers in the informal sector, the protection of freelancers, and the condonation of penalties for unpaid SSS contributions under his pet legislation—The Kasambahay Law. Another priority measure is the Flexi-work arrangement, which would mutually benefit workers and employers, considering the rising cost of fuel and essential commodities.
A known advocate of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) rights, Estrada will also seek to establish the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers. “Malapit sa puso ko ang ating mga OFWs at malaking porsyento ng mga nangingibang bansa ang ating mga seafarer kaya its about time na magkaron ng Magna Carta para sa kanila para siguruhin ang kanilang karapatan at kaligtasanm ganun din ng kanilang pamilya,” Estrada added.
To complete his top 10 priority bills, Estrada will push for a 20% discount on payments and fees for Indigent Job Applicants. He also vows to look into regulating the compensation of Public Utility Drivers and conductors by requiring bus operators to pay fixed monthly salaries.
Another important measure for Estrada is the creation of the National Manpower Placement Agency that would match the workers skills and labor opportunities. The proposed bill also aims to maximize technology to make job placement easy, fast, and verifiable.
“Itong National Manpower Data and Placement Center ang tututok sa pagtutugma ng kasanayan o skills at pantay na pagkakataon sa trabaho para sa milyun-milyong Pilipinong naghahanap ng trabaho at yung mga nadiskaril ang hanapbuhay dahil sa COVID-19, Estrada added.