THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
5 
AUG 23 F'? :% 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor 'Santiago 
- 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill was originally drafied by the interns of the Summer Sa Senado 
2005 internship program, namely: Rosendo Agda Jr.; Raven Lester Garcia; Jason Omapas; Ne1 
Salvacion; and Salie Siao. 
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. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 1 
S 
BUG 23 P2 158 
/7 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
. 
, , 
.I 
AN ACT 
MANDATING A SEPARATE COURSE OR SUBSeCT ON WORI(ERs’ IUOHTS 
FOR COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as “Workers’ Rights in School 
Curriculum Act of 2005.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - 
(a) The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the 
rights 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. 
(c) 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. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(a) “Workers’ Rights” - refer to the rights of workers as specified in the Labor 
Code of the Philippines; 
(b) “DepEd” - refers to the Department of Education; 
(c) “CHED’ -refers to the Commission on Higher Education; 
(d) “High school” -refers to secondary level from first year to fourth year; 
(e) “College” - refers to all institutions of higher learning that offer a bachelor’s 
degree; 


(0 “Civic courses” - refers to social science subjects. 
SECTION 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. 
* 
SECTION 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, etc. 
Supplementary topics related to employment and labor issues may be added to further 
enhance the critical thinking skills and awareness of the students. 
SECTION 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 rules and regulations, including those of disciplinaq nature, to cany out and enforce 
the provisions of this Act. 
SECTION 7. Educational Materials. - It 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. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
* 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 


SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. -This Aot shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,