HB00615: AN ACT PROVIDING PROTECTION AND INCENTIVES FOR FREELANCE WORKERS
This bill aims to address the vulnerabilities faced by the growing number of freelance workers in the Philippines. The bill mandates the execution of written contracts specifying compensation details, period of employment, and grounds for breach. It also introduces provisions for night shift differential pay and hazard pay for eligible freelance workers. Crucially, the bill seeks to empower freelancers by providing legal channels to demand payment for services rendered, imposing civil penalties on unscrupulous hiring parties, and criminalizing non-payment of compensation, thereby promoting the safety and well-being of this significant workforce.
Beyond immediate protections, the bill encourages freelance workers to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), aiming to account for this income-generating sector and enable their contribution to the country's tax revenue. It also offers tax relief benefits and proposes the establishment of dedicated assistance desks at BIR offices to aid freelancers with registration and inquiries. This measure signifies a recognition of freelancing as a legitimate and substantial form of employment, seeking to integrate freelancers into formal economic systems while safeguarding their rights and ensuring a just share in the fruits of their labor.