Last month, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued an advisory which sets the maximum number of hours for workers in the movie and television industry. The Dole Labor Advisory 04 – 2016 which provides the guidelines on working in the showbiz industry states that showbiz people should not be made to work more than 12 hours a day.
The Advisory comes after the movie and TV industry sought the help of the Department on the heels of the death of directors Wenn Deramas and Francis Pasion. Their deaths were attributed to the long hours of taping prevalent in the industry that results to unhealthy lifestyle, such as lack of sleep and addition to smoking and alcohol.
ABS-CBN NOT AGAINST MOVES TO IMPROVE INDUSTRY WORKING CONDITIONS BUT DOLE ADVISORY LACKS PROPER CONSULTATIONS
ABS-CBN has always championed and supported any development, whether initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or not, that ensures the health and well-being of its workers and talents. Over the years, we have been implementing relevant improvements in the working conditions of our Kapamilyas and providing benefits beyond what is required by law, because we believe it is the right thing to do.
This year, we are committed to rolling out significant moves to improve the working conditions of our workers and talents. These are changes that are lasting and that take into consideration the constraints and realities of the industry.
ABS-CBN is not against improving the working conditions of everyone in the industry, but believes that any meaningful change must factor in the ideas and opinions of stakeholders and field experts for it to protect both the welfare of our workers and the sustainability of the industry. For this to happen, a crucial process would be in-depth consultations with all parties.
But this did not happen when the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) suddenly issued a labor advisory defining the working conditions in the movie and television industry despite the ongoing meetings with broadcast management and workers.
The day that the DOLE issued the advisory was the same day (April 26) it hurriedly met with broadcast management representatives – a meeting attended only by ABS-CBN – to request data that would help them understand the TV industry. In that same meeting, DOLE announced it would conduct site visits in the first week of May and draft a Department Order in the second week of May – which would then be presented to industry stakeholders for comment.
So it comes as a complete surprise that DOLE would mandate changes without completing consultations.
ABS-CBN maintains that due process must be followed to ensure that the agreement will be beneficial for industry workers and talents and viable for the industry. In view of this and since the validity of the advisory is questionable, ABS-CBN is constrained to seek a temporary restraining order from the Regional Trial Courts of Quezon City.
