A BILL protecting freelancers from non-payment, unfair contracts, and other abusive practices was filed in the House of Representatives.
“Freelancers across the country continue to have little legal protection despite their growing role in the economy,” said Cong. Nathan “Atty. Nat Oducado of the 1Tahanan Partylist. “Too many freelancers are left unpaid, underpaid, or forced into unfair terms, and they have nowhere to turn when things go wrong.”
Under the bill, a freelance worker is any self-employed individual or single-person entity hired to provide services as an independent contractor, working under their own methods without being controlled by the hiring party except for the results of the work.
HB 8785, entitled “Freelance Workers Protection Act,” establishes mandatory written contracts, requires at least a 30% down payment, provides night shift differential and hazard pay, and penalizes late payment, contract manipulation, and retaliation with fines of up to ₱500,000.
“Right now, freelancers can be ignored, shortchanged, or replaced without consequence, and many hiring parties abuse this gap in the law,” Oducado said.
The bill also allows freelancers to file complaints with the Department of Labor and Employment for faster dispute resolution and grants tax relief and dedicated assistance desks in BIR offices.
“This measure simply says that honest work deserves fair pay, clear terms, and real protection under the law,” Oducado said.
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