Robin Fights for Rights of ‘Small’ Workers in Film Industry

MANILA — Sufficient and nutritious meals, adequate standby areas and just workday hours. These were among the rights pushed by Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla for “small” workers in the showbiz industry.

At the hearing of the Senate on the proposed “Eddie Garcia Act” where he is a co-author, Padilla stressed the observation of such rights are important to ensuring a smooth workflow in the industry he came from.

“The small workers are important to us because they are big stars… that’s why we are angry here for the small ones, because the big stars have food (The small workers are important to us. The big stars have money and they can afford to bring their own food),” he told the stakeholders at the hearing.

“I hope we can work together. We are not here to argue or disagree. We just want to have a very good workflow in our industry even though our industry is in a bit of trouble right now (We should help each other. We are not here to argue , but to ensure a smooth workflow in our industry even if our industry is now struggling),” he added.

Padilla reminded producers to ensure dietitians are in the workplace so performers and crew have the strength to do their work. “You stay up late and then you are given a basket of upo to eat. It is quite difficult (It would be difficult if you went without sleep then you are given only upo to eat),” he said.

He added there should be adequate and comfortable standby areas especially for senior and child performers. “When it comes to talents, they are often left to wait for their turn on the street,” he said.

Padilla likewise pushed for tax holidays to allow the industry to recover, “because I know producers are overtaxed.”

Joji Alonso of the Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association said they are amenable to a workday with a maximum of 14 hours. She said the industry is struggling because producers of movies produced this year earned only up to P12 million in a week, and in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) at that – a far cry from the P72 million they need to break even. (ai/mnm)