Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS ie
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution provides that:

Article 2, Section 17. The State affirms labor as a primary social
‘economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.

Article 14, Section 2. The State shall establish, maintain, and support a
complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of
the people and society.

Article 13, Section 3. The State shall afford full protection to labor.

In a society where the attainment of quality education remains a dream for the
underprivileged, and where a vast number of them are forced to work at a very young
age before completion of their tertiary, secondary or even primary education, these
disadvantaged workers are vulnerable to the exploitation of unscrupulous employers.
The State must provide protection to those who do not know their rights and privileges in
the workplace. What better way to impart this protection than by educating high school
and college students on labor laws?

This bill proposes to integrate a mandatory separate subject or course on
workers' rights for high school and college students. It must be noted that not all high
school and college students will end up as workers or employees; certainly, many of
them will be businessmen or entrepreneurs requiring the services of workers and
employees. This bill will have the dual function of educating the future employers of this
country as well, making them sensitive to the rights and privileges of their subordinates.
Thus, the mandatory study of labor laws will be beneficial for both employees and
employers.

fake Jae
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO.

Representative
4st District, City of Marikina

* RegeivEn

013



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2484

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
MANDATING A SEPARATE COURSE OR SUBJECT ON WORKERS’ RIGHTS FOR
COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Workers’ Rights in School
Curriculum Act of 2013.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. —

a) The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the
right of workers and promote their welfare.

b) The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-
being.

©) The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture,
and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and
promote total human liberation and development.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term:

(@) Workers’ Rights refer to the rights of workers as specified in the Labor Code of
the Philippines;

() DepEd refers to the Department of Education;

(©) CHED refers to the Commission on Higher Education;

(d) High School refers to secondary level from first year to fourth year;

(c) College refers to all institutions of higher learning that offer a bachelor's degree;

(f) Civic courses refer to social science subjects.
SEC. 4. Compulsory Teaching of Workers’ Rights in School. - The teaching of
Workers’ Rights shall be compulsory to all high school students to be incorporated in any
civic course offered in the said institution. All colleges and universities, whether public or
private, shall provide a compulsory 3-unit intensive Workers’ Rights course for every
degree program.
SEC. 5. Workers’ Rights Curriculum. — The DepEd and the CHED shall develop a
Workers’ Rights Curriculum conducive for high school and college students which shall

include, but not limited to, working conditions and rest periods, wages, health, safety,
and social welfare benefits. Supplementary topics related to employment and labor


issues may be added to further enhance the critical thinking skills and awareness of the
students.

SEC. 6. Implementing Agencies. — The DepEd Secretary and the CHED Chairperson
are hereby authorized and directed to adopt a system to implement and carry out the
provisions of this Act. The DepEd and CHED shall, within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations, including those of disciplinary
nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 7. Educational Materials. — \t shall be obligatory on all secondary and tertiary
schools and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the
textbook, primer, and leaflet on Workers’ Rights to be issued by the DepEd and CHED.
The DepEd and CHED shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending
upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be
affected thereby.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instructions, resolutions,
orders, ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,