By: Atty. Gregorio B. Austral, CPA
The Eddie Garcia Law
(Part 4)
The Eddie Garcia Law clearly specifies the duties and responsibilities of the employer or principal in the movie and TV industry.
The law provides that it is the duty of the employer or principal of the movie and television industry to:
(a) Comply with the laws, rules and regulations regarding occupational safety and health in every movie and program being produced;
(b) Promote safety and provide safe working conditions;
(c) Provide and maintain at all workplaces appropriate first aid and medical supplies and services;
(d) Only engage workers who are appropriately trained to perform their jobs;
(e) Ensure that all workers who may be affected by a potential hazard are made aware of the existence of the hazard to which they may be exposed in the course of production, as well as other safety and health concerns;
(f) Ensure that all sets and locations have been properly assessed for any potential safety and health issues and that proper remedies and safeguards are implemented to deal with any of these issues;
(g) Ensure that all environmental or structural hazards identified are adequately and properly addressed and corrected;
(h) Ensure that the use of proper safeguards and means of personal protection includes a careful check of all new and relocated equipment before it is placed in operation;
(i) Require that any necessary safety equipment and protective devices are being used or worn;
(j) Provide safety information which shall include, but not limited to, emergency numbers of nearest hospitals, fire stations and similar establishments; emergency personnel in the workplace; and location of safety, fire and first aid equipment; and
(k) Conduct a two (2) to five (5)-minute meeting with all workers every start of the shooting day to define safety and health issues.
The law also makes it clear that workers in the movie and television industry shall have the right to form, join, or assist in the formation of a labor organization of their own choosing for purposes of collective bargaining, for mutual aid benefit, and to engage in concerted activities which are not contrary to law. ||| (Eddie Garcia Law, Republic Act No. 11996, [May 24, 2024])