DOLE, FFCCCII to develop info materials on labor laws in Chinese language

Manila (22 October) — Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz recently said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will develop information materials on productivity and labor standards, including occupational safety and health (OSH), in the Chinese language to promote voluntary compliance with labor laws while improving the productivity of Filipino-Chinese owned firms, especially those owning small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Baldoz said translating the needed information materials into Chinese is provided for by the memorandum of agreement (MOA) which the DOLE and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) has entered into to enhance the capability of the members of the Federation through productivity and labor standards and OSH compliance.

Baldoz and Dr. Alfonso A. Uy, president, FFCCCII, signed the MOA.

The labor and employment secretary said the parties to the MOA have jointly agreed to simplify the modules on productivity, labor standards, and occupational safety and health standards for Filipino-Chinese SMEs, adding that the DOLE will develop and disseminate information materials in Chinese language to Filipino-Chinese businessmen, especially owners of SMEs.

Prior to the MOA signing, Baldoz held consultations and dialogues with FFCCCII officials and members who committed to ensure that all their member companies will comply with core labor standards including OSH standards.

“We will craft and present to the Chinese business community a simple and easy-to-understand question-and-answer type information materials on labor laws, as well as productivity improvement programs which will be translated in Chinese language to help them understand and comply with labor laws and measures that are intended to raise workplace productivity,” Baldoz said.

She said the Chinese-translated information materials will be used in seminars and training of member companies of FFCCCI, under the DOLE enhanced labor law education program for employers and workers.

She stressed the program is one of the many packages of reforms that are currently being initiated by the DOLE. Under the reform package, the DOLE would seek partnership with business organizations, labor centers/federations and non-government organizations in addressing issues in employment facilitation and labor standards compliance to enhance the quality of employment.

Under the DOLE-FFCCCII MOA, a technical working group of FFCCCII and DOLE representatives will be formed for the immediate and effective implementation of the MOA pursuant to its indicative action plan.

The labor chief said the DOLE-FFCCCII partnership is a DOLE initiative aimed at ensuring the labor laws compliance of the SMEs which comprised 98 percent of the country’s establishments.

“Considering that many of these SMEs are covered by FFCCCII member organizations, both parties to the MOA agreed to jointly undertake initiatives to enhance the SMEs as major employment generators through capability building on productivity and improve compliance on labor standards and occupational health and safety standards to ensure the quality of employment,” Baldoz said.

The FFCCCII, with a stock of 170-member organizations all over the Philippines, is a long-standing government partner in nation-building since its creation in 1954. (PIA-MMIO)