THE HOUSE Committee on Labor and Employment has ordered the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to draft the final version of House Bill 2479, which seeks to make insurance coverage mandatory for all construction workers.’
“Right after my sponsorship of House Bill 2479 in the committee, the chairman immediately moved for the creation of a TWG and no one objected. Kaya talagang nagpapasalamat ako sa mga kasamahan ko sa pagsuporta sa aking panukalang batas (I thank my colleagues for their support for the bill). And I am hopeful my bill will be discussed and passed on third and final reading in the soonest time possible,” Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party List Representative Romeo S. Momo, who is also the senior vice chairman of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways, said in a statement Sunday.
Under the bill, a contractor who employs at least 10 construction workers must provide for “mandatory group personal accident insurance coverage.”
“The duration of the insurance shall start from the commencement of the service of the construction worker until the completion of the construction project or upon termination of the employment contract,” according to the bill.
The coverage calls for a payout of P100,000 in case of death, and a burial benefit of P30,000 payable to beneficiaries within 48 hours after death.
In the event of total and permanent disability, a construction worker will be entitled to P75,000 for disabilities incurred at the construction site or while performing work-related tasks.
A construction worker granted the Total Permanent Disability benefit who later dies within two years of the onset of total and permanent disability will be eligible for death and burial benefits for his beneficiaries.
The measure also seeks insurance coverage for the construction worker’s hospitalization fees and injuries resulting from accidents over the course of the employment contract.
The bill also proposes that violators be fined between P200,000 and P300,000 for first offenses, with subsequent violations warranting one to six years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of P500,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.
“In this way, a speedy and efficient delivery of service to compensate for any injury, disability or death arising from any job-related accident or illness suffered during the course of employment may be given to construction workers.” Mr. Momo said.
A similar House bill was filed by then Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian during the 16th Congress but failed to pass into law. — Genshen L. Espedido
