Jerome Adonis, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general, speaks before the crowd during the Labor Day protest at the US Embassy in Manila. (Photo by Mayday Multimedia)
DAVAO CITY – Independent labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) is not convinced with the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) recent advisory to regulate film and TV industry’s working hours.
Jerome Adonis, KMU secretary general, said the fact that regulation can only do as much since it does not have penal provisions.
“The advisory merely pays lip service to improving the working conditions in the industry,” said Adonis.
DOLE’s Advisory No. 04 Series of 2016 aims to ensure better working conditions for all workers in the movie and television industry. It was approved on April 26 by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.
Without provisions on making violators accountable, Adonis said the advisory does not compel movie and television companies and other related businessess to follow.
“It is a mere clarification, does not have penal provisions, and only has a persuasive effect in a court of law,” he explained.
As such, the document gives Filipino workers no reason to celebrate “even if it affirms the eight-hour workday for media workers,” he added.
According to DOLE’s advisory, a worker or talent’s actual hours of work “shall not exceed eight hours a day.”
But if they need to work beyond eight hours, the maximum number of actual hours of work shall not exceed 12 hours in any 24-hour period.
It also included the “waiting time” of the talent or worker as “working time.”
“It also affirms Department Order No. 18-A Series of 2011 which has legalized contractualization in the media industry and all sectors of the economy. Compensation for work beyond eight hours, as well as hazard pay and death benefits, should be given to media workers,” Adonis said.
KMU has called on media workers to unite and fight for their basic rights.
“Big capitalists in the media industry are raking in huge profits. Workers’ basic needs, rights and dignity should not be sacrificed at the altar of the Golden Calf of profits. Let us continue to demand that media companies live up to their slogans of caring for the Filipino workers and people,” said Adonis.(davaotoday.com)
