MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Tuesday pushed for the passage of a measure aimed at strengthening the rights of Filipino workers by criminalizing interference with labor unions and the harassment of workers.
“Despite the constitutional rights that guarantee workers the freedom to form and join organizations of their choosing, many still encounter harassment, coercion, and intimidation from various sources,” he said.
Estrada explained that Senate Bill 2735, or the proposed “Strengthening the Freedom of Association of Workers’ Act”, seeks to address gaps in the Labor Code and reinforce the constitutional right to form unions, associations, or societies without restriction.
SB 2735 prohibits employers and government authorities from preventing workers from joining unions, forcing them to give up membership, or penalizing them for union membership.
The bill also prohibits the harassment or forced interrogation of workers, organizers, workers’ organizations, or union officials based solely on their membership or affiliation with labor organizations or unions.
Additionally, collecting or using personal data of workers, labor organizers, workers’ organizations, or union officials—such as names, home addresses, and contact details that could be used for harassment or profiling—is likewise disallowed.
“Any person who restrains, harasses, coerces, or unduly interferes with any worker or workers’ association or union in the exercise of their rights to self-organization or commits any violation of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than PHP 100,000 or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than two years, or both, at the discretion of the court,” Estrada said. (PNA)