COTABATO CITY – Bangsamoro lawmakers urged their colleagues to pass a measure that will protect the rights of every Bangsamoro worker in the informal economy by providing mechanisms for recognition, integration, and transition to the formal economy.

The proposed BTA Bill No. 190, or the Bangsamoro Magna Carta for Workers in the Informal Economy, highlights the rights and benefits of Bangsamoro workers; rights of legitimate organizations; assistance to organizations; security in the workplace; and social protection.

The informal economy, as defined in the proposed bill, refers to all economic activities by workers and economic units that are not covered by formal arrangements. It includes people who are self-employed, members of cooperatives, small-scale producers, and distributors of goods and services.

Workers in the informal economy, such as women in care work and other broad groups and segments of informal workers, are also targeted by the measure, which aims to recognize their roles and contributions.

The proposed bill also protects tricycle and pedicab drivers from having their property seized or vehicles impounded unless they have been used in criminal activities.

Roles of different ministries to address the needs and provide protection of the workers were specified in the said bill.

It is also stated in the measure that workers in the informal sector should also be able to use social services like Social Security, Pag-Ibig, and Philhealth.(LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)