(THE MANILA TIMES) SEN. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada on Monday said caregivers can now look forward to better working conditions following the enactment of a law ensuring their rights and welfare.
The senator said Republic Act (RA) 11965 or the “Caregivers’ Welfare Act,” signed into law on November 23 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., assures caregivers benefits and protection against all forms of abuses.
“This is a big step to ensure the promotion of the welfare of our caregivers and give protection to the vulnerable but vigorous sector of our society,” Estrada said.
He raised the need to defend the rights of caregivers and ensure their protection against harassment, violence, and economic exploitation.
“It is essential to protect them from any mistreatment. Caregivers are frequently undervalued and should be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness,” Estrada said in a statement.
The senator said he sponsored the passage into law of RA 11965 as chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor. Estrada co-authored and co-sponsored several bills that were signed into law in 2023 by the President.
Among these are the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953), One Town, One Product Philippines Program (RA 11960), Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act (RA 11964), Public-Private Partnership Code of the Philippines (RA 11966), Internet Transactions Act of 2023 (RA 11967), and the Cultural Mapping Law (RA 11961).