Solon wants mandatory insurance coverage for construction workers

SENATOR Win Gatchalian wants construction workers to be provided with mandatory insurance coverage by their employers because of the hazardous work environment they work in.

Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 821, or the Construction Workers Insurance Act, which seeks to require employers of construction workers to provide mandatory group personal accident insurance coverage to guarantee quick and efficient delivery of indemnity to injured workers. The insurance coverage shall compensate a reasonable amount for an accident that will cause the disability or even the death of the worker.

“I believe that providing our construction workers with insurance coverage will compel their employers to adopt better safety mechanisms that will ensure the safety and security of their workers. Further, this will ensure quick and efficient delivery of indemnity to construction workers, which is the main intent of this measure,” Gatchalian said.

As proposed, the duration of the insurance shall start from the commencement of the service of the construction worker until the completion of the construction project or upon the termination of the employment contract.

Also, the premiums to be paid to the insurance company shall be completely paid for by the employer and shall not be deducted from the wages of the construction workers. Minimum insurance coverage should be at least P75,000 for natural death, P100,000 for accidental death, P150,000 for death in the line of work, P50,000 for loss of both hands, P50,000 for loss of both feet, P50,000 for loss of one hand and sight of one eye, and P50,000 for loss of one foot and sight of one eye.

Under the proposed measure, construction workers will also be entitled to receive fair and prompt medical benefits in cases where the illness is directly attributable to or was developed in the course of employment.

“Hindi maikakaila na sa maraming pagkakataon, ang trabaho ng mga construction workers ay mapanganib kung kaya’t kailangan nating pangalagaan ang kanilang kaligtasan at kalusugan,” Gatchalian said.