Line workers could receive at least P300,000 in life, accident and disability insurance under a measure passed on final reading by the Senate on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Senate Bill No. 2485, or the proposed Line Workers Insurance Benefit Act, requires employers to shoulder the insurance premiums of covered workers. It also prohibits the reduction of existing benefits and imposes fines of P300,000 to P500,000 on employers who fail to provide the required coverage.
The Senate also approved Senate Bill No. 2484, which seeks to declare every first Monday of August as National Line Workers Appreciation Day.
The measure tasks the National Electrification Administration, in coordination with the Department of Energy and power industry stakeholders, with leading programs to recognize line workers, improve their safety and welfare, and support their skills development.
The bills cover workers involved in the construction, installation, inspection, maintenance and repair of electrical transmission and distribution systems, telecommunications lines and related facilities, including those working on overhead and underground lines.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo, sponsor of the measures, said the Senate’s approval recognizes the risks faced by workers who help keep electricity and telecommunications services running.
“The National Line Workers Appreciation Day Act acknowledges the contribution of line workers to electrification, connectivity, and nation-building. To complement this, the Line Workers Insurance and Benefits Act provides a guaranteed layer of protection for them,” Tulfo said.IMT
