Magna Carta for Workers in the Media and News Industry Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 JUL -8 P5:23 SENATE Senate Bill No. 249 Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF WORKERS IN THE MEDIA AND NEWS INDUSTRY EXPLANATORY NOTE Media and news workers play a vital role in safeguarding the public's right to timely, accurate, and critical information. Their labor sustains press freedom, public accountability, and democratic participation. Despite this essential function, media and news workers face alarming vulnerabilities. They often perform their duties under conditions marked by job insecurity, low pay, lack of benefits, and dangerous environments. A 2021 survey conducted by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) revealed that 44% of media workers earned Php 15,000 or less per month, while 15%, primarily those based in the provinces, reported earning Php 5,000 or less. Additionally, 50% of respondents indicated they did not receive holiday pay, hazard pay, or insurance coverage for dangerous assignments. Alarmingly, 55% stated they were not compensated for overtime work' This proposed legislative measure seeks to rectify these systemic injustices by enshrining into law the minimum protections and 1 Baizas, Gaby, "Philippine media is at a crossroads — and it's impacting journalists", February 07, 2025, retrieved from: https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/reality-life-fmancial- work-struggles-journalism-philippines/, retrieved on July 05, 2025.

dignified working conditions that all media and news workers deserve. It proposes a minimum compensation consistent with the regional minimum wage, and mandates payment of overtime, night shift differential, and holiday pay. It guarantees hazard pay of at least Phps00 per day, and requires employers to provide additional insurance coverage for work-related injury, illness, disability, or death. This legislative measure is not just about improving wages or benefits. It is about affirming the dignity and rights of those whose work upholds the foundations of the integrity of the free press. By ensuring just labor standards for media workers, the State affirms its commitment to transparency, truth, and accountability. In sum, this bill is a long-overdue response to the urgent and persistent plight of Filipino journalists and media professionals. ERWIN TULFO

Wit! TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -8 P5:23 First Regular Session ) PICH Senate Bill No._ SENAT 249 Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo AN ACT PROTECTING THE WELFARE OF WORKERS IN THE MEDIA AND NEWS INDUSTRY

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the

"Magna Carta for Workers in the Media and News Industry Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the

State to afford full protection to labor and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all and to recognize the vital role of media practitioners in a democratic society. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a. Employer or principal refers to any person, natural or juridical, including contractor or subcontractor, who engages or hires the services of a worker in the news industry; b. Media and News industry refers to the industry engaged in any form of mass media that focuses on gathering information, delivering news to the public, which include print media, broadcast news, and online platforms; and

c. Worker refers to an employee hired by the employer or an independent contractor engaged by the principal to render services for the media and news industry.

SEC. 4. Minimum Compensation. -The minimum wage of a

worker shall not be less than the applicable minimum wage in the region where the worker is hired. Wages shall be paid on time, as agreed upon in the contract, directly to the worker. The employer or principal shall not make any deductions from the wages unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties or required or allowed by law. 11 The employer or principal shall at all times provide the worker with a 12 copy of the pay slip containing the amount paid, and indicating all deductions made, if any.

SEC. 5. Overtime and Night Shift Differential Pay. - For work

beyond eight (8) hours a day, a worker shall be entitled to overtime pay unless it is already incorporated in the agreement or employment contract which stipulates a higher compensation. A worker shall also be entitled to night shift differential unless the same is incorporated in the agreement or employment contract which stipulates a higher compensation.

SEC. 6. Regularization and Security of Tenure. - A worker shall

be deemed as a regular employee after six (6) months from the start of employment, regardless of the nature of employment. The six-month period shall be counted cumulatively if a worker is repeatedly engaged for shorter periods. An employer or principal shall not terminate the services of a worker except for just and/or authorized causes with the observance of due process.

SEC. 7. Hazard Allowance. - A worker who is required to

physically report for work in dangerous areas such as strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, disease-infested areas

or in areas declared under a state of calamity or emergency for the duration thereof which expose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activity or eruption, occupational risks or perils to life as determined by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall be compensated with a hazard pay in the minimum amount of Five hundred pesos (P500.00) per day.

SEC. 8. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits. - Employers

or principals shall provide additional insurance coverage to media workers as follows: a. Medical insurance benefit of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 100,000); b. Disability benefit of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 200,000) for a worker who shall suffer total or partial permanent disability, arising from any injury sustained during work hours; and c. Death benefit of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP 200,000).

SEC. 9. Settlement of Disputes. - All labor-related disputes shall

be elevated to the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office which has jurisdiction over the workplace.

SEC. 10. Penalties.- Any person who violates any section of this

Act shall be fined as follows: (a) Not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000) for the first offense; (b) Not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000) for the second offense; and (c) Not less than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) for the third and succeeding offenses.

These fines are without prejudice to the imposition of other penalties under existing laws. If the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association or any other entity, the fines shall be imposed upon the entity's responsible officers, including, but not limited to, the executive producer, producer, production manager, and business unit manager.

SEC.11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within a non-

11 extendible period of ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in consultation with non-government organizations, and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 12. Construction in Favor of Labor. - All doubts in the

implementation and interpretation of the provisions of this Act, including its implementing rules and regulations, shall be resolved in favor of labor.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of

this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereot, insotar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and eftect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders,

issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,