A lawmaker on Tuesday stressed that employers of construction workers must provide mandatory insurance coverage considering the hazardous work environment they are engaging into.

In line with this, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian filed Senate bill 821 or the Construction Workers Insurance Act which seeks to require employers of construction workers to provide mandatory group personal accident insurance coverage — to guarantee quick and efficient delivery of indemnity to injured workers.

The proposed measure aims to push insurance coverage that will compensate a reasonable amount for an accident that might cause disability or even the death of the construction worker.

The duration of the insurance shall start from the commencement of the service of the construction worker until the completion of the construction project or upon the termination of the employment contract.

"I believe that providing our construction workers with insurance coverage will compel their employers to adopt better safety mechanisms that will ensure the safety and security of their workers," he said.

The bill also states the premiums to be paid to the insurance company "shall be completely paid for by the employer and shall not be deducted from the wages" of the construction workers.