Quezon City's 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos 'Arjo' Atayde filed a House Bill proposing to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation systems in workplaces in the country.
Under House Bill No. (HBN) 9448 or the Protection of Labor Against AI Automation Act, Atayde proposed that employers must establish AI Governance Policies that will regulate or guide workers on the adoption and usage of AI.
"Such AI Governance Policy may allow employees to use AI in business processes and workflows, subject to limitations made known to the employees through said policy," he said.
The House lawmaker proposed that the AI Governance Policies shall prohibit employers from using AI "as their sole or primary basis in the hiring and termination of employees."
"The use of AI and automation technologies to replace human workers resulting in displacement, loss of security of tenure, diminution of existing salaries or benefits or unemployment is hereby prohibited unless an equivalent alternative employment opportunity for affected human workers is made available," Atayde added.
Employers shall seek the labor department's approval once they decide to use AI for their operations in the event of valid retrenchment of employees, and they are obligated to "provide transition assistance to affected human workers" who will be displaced due to the AI implementation.
"Government agencies shall establish reskilling and upskilling programs to facilitate the transition of affected workers into new roles within the evolving job market," the House lawmaker said.
On the part of the employee, Atayde said they have the right to air refusal or objection to "undergo AI-driven evaluations and may request an alernative evaluation method."
A penalty of not less than six months or more than six months shall be imposed against the individual who will violate the provisions or any section of the Act.
The labor department is mandated to create the Act's Implementing Rules and Regulation once enacted.
