Press Release
November 2, 2007

LEGARDA SEEKS SECURITY OF TENURE, ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR JOURNALISTS

Sen. Loren Legarda has filed a bill seeking to strengthen the practice of journalism by providing for security of tenure for professional journalists and adequate compensation, benefits and protection for journalists in the performance of their duties,

"Journalists, by the very nature of their job, are constantly exposed to risks and danger. It is but proper than the State provides for their distinct needs and divergent responsibilities to enable them to effectively exercise their role in bringing public information," Legarda said.

According to Legarda, Senate Bill 1398 aims to accomplish this by providing journalist security of tenure and work- related benefits like overtime pay, night shift differential, hazard allowance, leave benefits, compulsory membership in the government's state insurance fund and exemption from payment of travel tax, terminal fees and other related charges when in the performance of their jobs.

The proposed measure also stipulates leave credit, retirement benefits and other privileged for journalist.

The bill also guarantees the journalists' right to self-organization and freedom from interference and coercion in the exercise of this.

It further proposes the establishment of the National Journalists' Coordinating Council to oversee and monitor the proper implementation of laws that promote the welfare of the journalists in the country.

To foster professionalism, the bill mandates the press secretary, upon consultation with the existing journalists' organization, to formulate a Code of Professional Conduct for Journalists.

The proposed act seeking to protect the right and promote the welfare of journalists stated that journalists must be provided with the comprehensive benefits package at par with the current benefits enjoyed by those in the labor force.

The bill says this will motivate and encourage journalists to better perform their duties as truthful and responsible information of the other.

Under the bill, the normal working hours of any journalist shall not exceed eight hours a day or 48 hours a week- covering the time required of a journalists to be on active duty or at a prescribed workplace.

"The time when journalists is placed on 'on call' status shall not be considered as hours worked but shall entitle the journalist to an 'on call' pay equivalent to 50 percent of his regular wage," the bill read.

The bill also states that where the exigencies of the service so require, any journalists, who, under the Labor Code, maybe required to render service beyond the normal eight hours a day shall be paid an additional compensation for the overtime work in an amount equivalent to his / her regular wages plus at least 25 percent.

"Where a journalist is required to work on his/ her scheduled rest day and or special holidays not falling on regular holidays, he/ she shall be paid a compensation equivalent to his / her regular wage plus at least 30 percent and additional amount of not less than 10 percent of such premium pay rate for each hour of work performed," the bill said.

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