Sen. Mark Villar proposed a bill to address job hunt costs and skills mismatch
Senator Mark Villar called for the immediate passage of two bills aimed at expanding job opportunities and reducing barriers faced by Filipino workers and job seekers.
In line with the commemoration of Labor Day on Friday, May 1, the lawmaker asserted the need to ensure that Filipinos receive equal job opportunities.
Villar highlighted Senate Bill No. 1272 or the proposed Kabalikat sa Hanapbuhay Act, and Senate Bill No. 1295, which seeks to create a tripartite council composed of representatives from the government, employers, and workers.
The lawmaker made this declaration in a recently released statement, based on the report from Bandera.
“Ang Labor Day ay panahon upang parangalan ang sipag at sakripisyo ng ating mga manggagawa. Ngunit ang tunay na pagpaparangal ay nagmumula sa mga batas na nagpapagaan sa kanilang pasanin at nagbubukas ng tunay na oportunidad para sa disenteng trabaho,” Sen. Mark Villar stated.
Under SBN 1272, indigent job seekers may be granted a discount or completely free of charge for obtaining documents required before employment, including NBI clearance, police clearance, medical certificate, barangay clearance, and other requirements from government agencies.
Villar stressed that many qualified Filipinos are unable to proceed with job applications due to the cost of completing the required documents.
“Maraming may kakayahang Pilipino ang napipigilang mag-apply ng trabaho dahil lamang hindi nila kayang tustusan ang paunang gastos para sa mga dokumentong ito. Inaalis ng SBN 1272 ang hadlang na ito upang ang kahirapan ay hindi na maging balakid sa marangal na hanapbuhay,” he said.
Meanwhile, SBN 1295 aims to create a tripartite council that will develop policies and solutions to address unemployment, underemployment, and job-skills mismatch in the country.
Villar also believes that the bill will help ensure that employment policies are formulated through the collaboration of key sectors.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama-sama ng lahat ng stakeholder, makatutulong ang SBN 1295 na tulayan ang agwat sa pagitan ng mga available na trabaho at kasanayan ng ating workforce, upang makalikha ng mas inklusibo at pangmatagalang oportunidad sa trabaho para sa mga Pilipino,” the senator pointed out.
