REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 984

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to integrate labor education into the social science
subjects in the higher education curriculum. This bill has already been
approved by the House of Representatives on its 3* and final reading in
the 17% Congress. However, it has not yet ripened into a law. There is
however a need to file the said bill on account of its importance to the
labor sector of our society. Hence, this bill.

The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall
protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare (Section 18,
Article II of the 1987 Constitution). To this end, it shall be the mandate
of the State to ensure that labor laws and related issues are introduced
not merely as a subject in specific course or courses but in the general
curriculum of higher education with the end in view of expanding labor
concepts to students as foundations for labor protection.

Approval of this bill is thus earnestly sought.

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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5
HOUSE BILL NO. a

Introduced by Representative MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS

AN ACT
INTEGRATING LABOR EDUCATION INTO THE SOCIAL SCIENCE SUBJECTS
IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Labor Education Act’.

SEC. 2. it is the policy of the State to protect the rights of workers and
promote their welfare, living and working conditions, and terms of
employment. Towards this end, the State shall put in place a mechanism
to educate the youth on the rights and welfare of the workers and promote
a society that is responsive and sensitive to the needs of the labor sector.

SEC. 3. As used in this Act:

(@) Higher education curriculum refers to the general education
curriculum designed for students taking up courses in higher
education institutions leading to a degree;

(b) Labor education refers to the teaching of labor rights, workers’
welfare and benefits, core labor standards, labor laws and
regulations, the national and global labor situation, labor market

concerns, labor issues, overseas work and related problems,the


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nature of human labor, the role of labor in the seif-realization of the
human being, the foundations of the dignity of labor and other
topics related to labor and employment; and

(c) Social Science subjects refer to subjects pertaining to the
branches of science that deal with the institutions, functioning and
aspects of human society, and the interpersonal relationships of
individuals as members of society.

SEC. 4 Labor education shall be integrated into the mandatory social
science subjects being offered under the general education curriculum in
the higher education courses.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), pursuant to its
mandate under Republic Act No.7722,otherwise known as the “Higher
Education Act of 1994", shall develop the program to execute and

implement this Act

SEC. 5. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional,
the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions.

SEC. 6. All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and
regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are
hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in any national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.