DOLE to pursue more peaceful industrial front in

With the trust rating of the Aquino administration at its highest, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will further enhance its labor relations reform programs in 2011 to maintain the single digit strike rate last year and maintain the industrial peace prevailing in the country.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said the single digit strike rate resulted in the Philippines being dubbed the “industrial peace hub” in the ASEAN region and has brought in the confidence of more investors and businessmen in the country.

“The prevailing industrial peace in the country has assured our workers of the needed jobs and has made strides in the stability and dynamism of our economy,” Baldoz said.

The labor chief said that for 2011, the DOLE’s foremost thrust in labor relations would be the strengthening of a just and dynamic industrial peace front.

DOLE undersecretary for labor relations Hans Leo Cacdac said that for this year, all agencies and offices under his cluster will move to further strengthen dispute prevention and settlement mechanisms.

“We would like to see that at the plant level, companies are able to effectively prevent and resolve their labor dispute,” Cacdac said, adding that if this fails, the DOLE would provide alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms for the disputing parties.

Cacdac said that with the issuance of Department Order No. 107, series of 2010, all labor cases would now be processed first by the Single Entry Approach Desk (SEAD) in all offices and agencies of the Department.

He said that there is also the mandatory 30-day conciliation and mediation period for all labor cases which will be closely monitored by the Department this year.

Cacdac said that in the name of industrial peace, the DOLE would further strengthen tripartism and social dialogue with all concerned sectors and stakeholders to address all issues and concerns affecting them.

Cacdac said that for this year, the Department would provide additional support and assistance to the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC), as continuing venue in discussing policies and issues in labor and employment.

He said that for 2011, the NTIPC would emphasize on projects that are geared in employment generation to provide jobs for the most vulnerable sectors in our society, and thus, reduce the prevailing unemployment rate.

The undersecretary for labor relations said the DOLE would also strengthen the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils (RTIPCs) and promote the adoption of voluntary codes of good practices by industries.

For its legislative agenda, Cacdac said the DOLE will push for the review and propose amendments to important provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines.

He said the department will focus on pertinent laws and provisions that strengthen productivity and the competitiveness of our workers and would look closely on such laws on labor relations, laws on employment, and human resource developments. (dole/pia9/c.lanipa)