Local maritime industry affirms arbitration in the resolution of disputes

MANILA, Philippines — Stakeholders in the maritime industry have affirmed their preference for voluntary arbitration as a better mode of dispute resolution following the signing of an agreement covering various issues and concerns affecting the shipping sector.

This was disclosed by Labor Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac in a recent dialogue on voluntary arbitration in the maritime industry organized by DoLE with the Philippine Association of Voluntary Arbitrators (PAVA), Tripartite Voluntary Arbitrators Advisory Council (TVAAC), Accredited Voluntary Arbitrators (AVAs), Joint Manning Group (JMG) and maritime labor unions,

Discussions on important concerns of the maritime sector have led to other agreements including the conduct by the National Labor Relations Commission of an orientation on the 2011 NLRC rules and procedures to maritime stakeholders.

“The government continues to conduct social dialogue with partners in drawing up support to reforms in labor governance and this dialogue with stakeholders in the maritime industry is one of those,” Cacdac said.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz was elated that the NCMB and PAVA were able to bring a big group together to jointly promote the voluntary arbitration program in the maritime industry.

“I am happy to see all of you, as this gathering is very timely. I have been waiting for the time to talk to you as experts in labor dispute settlement. All of you have very important roles to play in the reform programs of President Benigno S. Aquino III particularly on dispute resolution,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz added that these reforms are pursuant to the labor and employment agenda of President Aquino III, the overarching goal of which is to invest in our human resource and make it more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice.

She informed the maritime stakeholders that the President was particularly insistent on the need for reforms in labor arbitration and adjudication systems, and has instructed the DoLE to streamline procedures, remove red tape, restore integrity and fairness in the system and achieve a 98% case disposition rate.

The labor and employment chief said the roles of voluntary arbitrators in the implementation of these reforms are very important as the President is very specific in his order to and institute transparency in the labor dispute settlement process.

“You can help implement these reforms by your adherence to prescriptive periods in the disposition of voluntary arbitration (VA) cases that you will be handling,” Baldoz said, adding that she looks forward to the day when voluntary arbitration can compete with compulsory arbitration in terms of client preference.

“This may sound difficult to achieve but we can perhaps start the journey towards this direction by enhancing the quality of decisions to improve our affirmation rates for appealed cases and by adhering to the 20-day prescriptive period within which to decide VA cases,” she further said. –EDU LOPEZ, Manila Bulletin