EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
• t t u f  ol tiK
•If DEC-9 PI 55
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1218
RECElVtD 9t.
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT INTEGRATING LABOR EDUCATION 
IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Today, Filipinos remain vulnerable to countless issues that hound the labor 
sector—from high unemployment and underemployment, to problems concerning fair 
wages, job security, safe workplaces, social protection, and right to organization.
Accessibility and availability of quality job opportunities in the domestic market 
has been a persistent problem in the country,1 prompting most of the 2.3 million 
Filipinos to settle with overseas employment (mostly involving elementary and 
assembly work) despite exposure to a wide range of health and social risks.2
For those who have acquired work locally, still a number of problems such as 
non-regular forms of employment continue to undermine workers’ welfare and rights. 
According to the 2016 Integrated Survey of Labor and Employment (ISLE) of the 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), around half (43.2%) of private sector 
employment in the country are in precarious or non-regular work (e.g., casual 
workers, contractual and seasonal workers, and agency-hired workers). In total, 
including public sector employment, approximately 7 million Filipino workers are in 
end-of-contract (ENDO) or labor-only contracting (LOG) arrangements,3 representing 
around 30.7% of wage and salary employees the country that same year.
1 The country's unemployment rate was at 6.6% in 2017, the highest among the Association of Southeast Asian 
Nations 
(ASEAN) 
countries. 
From 
ASEAN 
Secretariat, 
ASEANstats 
database. 
Accessed 
from 
https://www.aseansfafs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ASEAN-Key-Figures-2018.pdf
2 2019, April 30. Total Number of OFWs Estimated at 2.3 Million (Results from the 2018 Survey on Overseas 
Filipinos). Available at. https://psa.gov.ph/content/fofal-number-ofws-estimated-23-million-results-2018-survey- 
overseas-filipinos (date last accessed: November 27, 2019).
3 2017, October 31. 2015/2016 Integrated Survey on Labor and Employment -  Part 1 (Modules on Employment; 
Occupational Shortages and Surpluses; and Training of Workers) Available at
https://psa.gov.ph/content/20152016-integrated-survey-labor-and-employment-part-i-modules-employment- 
occupational (date last accessed: November 27, 2019).


In 2017, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s Bureau of Local 
and Employment (BLE) reported that over half of the establishments they inspected 
failed to comply with general labor standards.4 Unfortunately, Filipinos’ knowledge of 
their labor rights and access to legal aid or assistance remain inadequate, forcing 
some of them to compromise in the incidence of labor rights violations.5
In light of these problems, it is clear that the government has to strive to make 
every Filipino worker aware of his or her rights. This can be done by building the 
capacity of future members of the labor sector by mandating the integration of labor 
education in higher education, wherein 3 to 4 million students are enrolled annually. 
This bill seeks to enhance the knowledge of future “Manggagawang Pinoy," with 
relevant career guidance information, knowledge about the labor market, and most 
especially background on labor rights and policies.
In recent years, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), under its 
Labor and Employment Education Service, has been conducting Labor Education for 
Graduating Students (LEGS) seminar series at various universities where they 
discuss basic labor laws and distribute employment guides or handbooks to 
jobseekers. The move to integrate labor education in higher education recognizes 
the merit of such initiative.
Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR
VILLANUEVA
2017, 
June 
25. 
Over 
5,000 
firms 
nationwide 
violated 
labor 
laws 
- 
DOLE. 
Available 
at: 
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/25/over-5000-firms-nationwide-violated-labor-laws-dole/ (date last accessed: 
November 27, 2019).
5 2019 
Philippine Workers’ 
and 
Trade 
Union 
Report on 
the 
SDGs. 
Available at: https://www.ituc- 
csi.org/IMG/pdf/190506_workers_group_feedback_-_pnvr_on_sdgs_-_final.pdf (date last accessed: November 
27, 2019).


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. B. NO. 1218
Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT INTEGRATING LABOR EDUCATION 
IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Labor Education Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  The State shall afford protection to labor, promote 
full employment, ensure equal work opportunities regardless of sex, race or creed, 
and regulate the relations between workers and employers. The State shall assure 
the rights of workers to self-organization, collective bargaining, security of tenure, 
and just and humane conditions of work.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms -  As used in this Act, the following terms are defined
as follows:
(a) 
Commission refers to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
(b) 
Higher Education Curriculum refers to the general education curriculum 
designed for students taking up courses in higher education institutions (HEIs) 
leading to a degree;
(c) 
Labor Education refers to the teaching of theories, concepts, and issues 
concerning labor, such as, but not limited to labor rights, dignity, economic 
welfare, and political participation; and
(d) 
General Education refers to the portion of the curriculum that is common to all 
undergraduate students regardless of their major.


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SEC. 4. Integration of Labor Education in Higher Education Curriculum. -  All
public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) are mandated to:
(a)
Integrate Labor Education in the general education (GE) subject entitled “The 
Contemporary World,” which covers globalization and its impact on individuals, 
communities and nations, challenges and responses. Such subject may be 
taken at any given year level, and may be taught in English or Filipino.
The Labor Education component of the said GE subject should cover the 
teaching of the following:
(1) 
Labor rights and workers’ welfare, as contained in labor laws and 
regulations:
(2) 
Role and contribution of labor to the national economy;
(3) 
Basic income taxation;
(4) 
Minimum labor standards on wage, overtime pay, night shift differential, 
holiday pay, leaves, among others;
(5) 
National and global labor situation and challenges;
(6) 
Labor organization and political participation; and
(7) 
Other topics related to labor and employment.
(b) 
As far as practicable, hold a Labor Empowerment and Career Guidance 
conference which shall be attended by all graduating students.
Provided, that in case the Commission makes an amendment to the list of GE 
courses in HEIs that effectively affects the availability or content of the GE subject 
“The Contemporary World,” the Commission shall identify a new GE subject that 
shall integrate Labor Education in the design of such subject; Provided, however, 
that nothing herein shall limit the HEI from offering labor education as an elective 
subject.
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Guidelines. -  Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Commission, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, 
shall formulate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of 
this Act.
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. -  Any portion or provisions of this Act that may be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other 
portions and provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can 
still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations and 
administrative regulations, or any parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act herewith are hereby revoked, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national papers of general circulation or in the Official 
Gazette.
Approved,