Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular §

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by HON. JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI

RY NOTE

More often than not, workers fail to avail themselves of the benefits due them under
existing laws for the simple reason that they are not even aware of it, While the constitution
provides that all persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all
judicial, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies, the same remains practically inapplicable because
the workers do not even know their rights in the first place

An example is the low percentage of availed benefits under the Employees Compensation
‘ogram (ECP). Hon. Leonardo A, Quisumbing, former Secretary of Labor and Employment has
stated before that while about 250,000 workers suffer work-related illnesses or accidents yearly

only 147,000 workers have availed of the benefits under the ECP, Moreover, what contributes 10
the number of unclaimed benefits under the ECP is the law's provision that “uninformed workers
\who do not file claims lose their right to compensation following a prescriptive period of three (3)
years"

This Bill seeks to require the employers to inform their employees both at_ their
engagement and at the time a particular contingency occurs of the benefits available to the latter

Early passage of this Bill therefore is earnestly requested



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV
Quezon City

PHIRTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Se:

ion

House BILL No, 1008

Introduced by HON. JUAN MIGU

*. ZUBIRE

AN ACT
REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO INFORM THEIR EMPLOYEES OF THEIR RIG
‘TO SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMEN
OR COMPANY POLICIES UNDER EXISTING LAWS IN WRITING ON THE FIRST.
DAY OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT AND EVERY TIME A PAR’
CONTINGENCY OCCURS,

Re it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress of the Philippines in
Congress assenibled:

SECTION 1. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide social services,
promote full employment and an improved quality of Ii for all. Towards this end, the State shall
institute mechanisms to facilitate, rather than prolong, the invocation and payment of benefits

SECTION 2, Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, every employer must inform his
employee in writing, on the first day of his employment and every time a compensable
contingency occurs, of the benefits available to the latter under existing laws, collective bargaining
agreements, company policies and practices and employment contracts, arising from employer
employee relationship. If the employer fails or refuses to so notify the affected employee as
required herein, the employer shail be liable to pay to such employee, by way of damages, the
amount equivalent to the benefits which said employee would otherwise be entitled to, and
Without prejudice to the right of said employee from recovering the same benefits from the
appropriate entity including his employer. For purposes of this Act, the employer, in coordination
with the appropriate national agencies whenever applicable, shall conduct periodic orientation
seminars

decres
accor

SECTION 3, All laws, rules and regulation:

i
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modi

ingly

inees oF any part thereof

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved.