8 labor strikes mark peaceful 2010

THE country’s industrial front remained relatively peaceful in 2010, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said work stoppages in the country remained at a single–digit level as a result of reforms initiated by the Labor department that promote cooperation and labor management harmony.

“Technically speaking, the Philippines is not yet in recession, like other countries in Asia. The Philippine economy remained positive in 2009 and 2010, but there has been hardly any growth at all,” according to Labor spokesperson Nicon Fameronag.

The department regarded 2010 as another year when industrial peace reigned in the country with only eight strikes recorded, the lowest in seven decades since the Labor department was established.

In the third quarter of 2010, companies paid about P2 billion in benefits to employees after the peaceful settlement of labor disputes.

The globalization of the economy, new work arrangements, and more competition were among factors which brought about this shift, Baldoz said.

“These reforms include the institutionalization of the 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation of all labor cases to settle labor disputes amicably, the operationalization of the grievance committee to resolve labor management at the plant level, and the implementation of speedy and efficient disposition of cases by April 2011.” Baldoz said.

Based on a report by the National Conciliation and Management Board, the number of strikes and lockouts totaled only eight, an indication that the country has sustained its status as Asia ’s industrial peace hub, which it first achieved in 2007 when the number of strikes and lockouts in the country shrank to a single-digit level.

Baldoz said that while they do not have data regarding the industrial situation in other countries, she maintained that the Philippines has the lowest record of strikes and other labor cases.

“Resolving labor disputes in the country appears to be less and less confrontational as the number of actual strikes was less than one percent of total strike notices,” she said.

The department also assumed jurisdiction of labor cases such as the Philippine Airlines and other local companies which resulted in better cooperation and resolution of the labor cases.

“These reforms are intended to hasten the delivery of labor justice which is necessary in the maintenance of industrial peace,” Baldoz said. –Vito Barcelo, Manila Standard Today