World Day for Decent Work 2009, a Day Ahead in CALABARZON

06 October 2009, Alabang –Representatives of tripartite regional institutions of Region IV-A received the World Day for Decent Work Call to Action for “Decent Work, Decent Life!” in a joint TUCP-RTWPB-RTIPC hand-over ceremony at The Palms, Alabang.

The Call to Action is an international petition of seven key demands. It calls on government and decision-makers, including international financial institutions for: inclusive strategies for full and productive employment, promotion and protection of workers’ rights, social protection, changes in unfair trade rules, rationalization of debt servicing, increase in the level of overseas development assistance (ODA) from rich countries which imperative to reach the UN Millennium Development Goals, and protection of migrant workers.

The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) and Regional Tripartite Industrial and Peace Council (RTIPC) are composed of representatives from government, employers and labor.  RTWPB is a collegial body for wage fixing. The RTIPC on the other hand is a labor-related policy consultative body.

The Region covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (CALABARZON).

Heading the government agency-members of the RTWPB and RTIPC, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Ricardo Martinez, Sr. accepted the Call to Action. Other government agencies who accepted copies of the document on the same occasion were the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)

“We support the workers’ Call to Action for Decent Work, Decent Life,” says Director Martinez. “As a matter of fact, Region IV-A is the very first region in the country that adopted a Regional Decent Work Agenda. It was launched on 26 February 2009 with support from the International Labor Organization (ILO).”

DTI Regional Director Marilou Toledo quipped: “I thank the TUCP for calling the attention of DTI about Decent Work. Decent Work is important to all of us.” How the government responds to Decent Work, she says: “We support the right of workers in the public sector to join unions.  One of my colleagues here, in fact, is the vice president of the DTI Employee’s Union. With Decent Work, everyone is happy. In turn, we are able to provide better services.”

Mr. Ronnie Luna, member of the RTIPC and the militant Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) commended the TUCP for leading the campaign. He noted that promotion of and support for Decent Work is a show of respect for workers in Region IV.

Mr. Eduardo Nicolas, Vice Chair for Management of the RTIPC and Human Resources Manager of Toyota Philippines says that the RTIPC is trying its best to create awareness and promote Decent Work as the core of CALABARZON’s trade, economic and social policies.

Atty. Procolo Olaivar, quoting PEZA’s Director General Lilia de Lima shared that PEZA enunciates two non-negotiable concerns in support of Decent Work: Respect for Workers’ Rights and Protection of the Environment.

TUCP Vice President Jesus Villamor, TUCP Women Chair Florencia Cabatingan, Education and Youth Director Rafael Mapalo, and KILUSAN-TUCP Chief Operating Officer Arthur Juego composed the TUCP delegation that spearheaded the handed-over ceremony. –R

Also see the article in PIA website