1,500 expected to attend National Workers’ Congress

Around 1,500 government workers and managers will gather for the National Workers’ Congress on March 23, 2009 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The Congress, with the theme “Public Sector Unionism: Towards the Institutionalization of Citizen’s Charter,” highlights the key role of government employees’ organizations in the implementation of anti-red tape measures, particularly in the crafting of agencies’ service standards or Citizens’ Charters. It also seeks to evaluate the current state of public sector unionism thru dialogues between representatives of Public Sector Unions and management.

This major event is organized by the Civil Service Commission with the Public Sector Labor Management Council and government employees’ associations. The council is composed of Civil Service Commission Ricardo Saludo as chairman, the Labor and Employment Secretary as vice chair, and the Finance, Justice and Budget secretaries as members. The Civil Service serves as the Secretariat to the Council.

Actitivities to be held during the Congress include Regional workers’ Consultation by sector, election of eight sectoral representatives, parallel sessions/training programs on various concerns for the workers and management groups, presentations by council members, and a keynote speech of the council chair on “The Partnership in Government and Advancement of Morale, Efficiency, Responsiveness, Courtesy and Integrity in the Government Service.”

The 1987 Constitution grants government empployees the right to self-organization, or to form unions, associations or societies that would serve as the unified voice of employees toward the advancement and protection of their interests. Public Sector Unions can be a partner of management in policy-making, implementation and monitoring, as well as a “watchdog” for graft and corruption in government.

Harnessing public sector unionism is part of Civil Service Commission’s major thrusts based on the principle that a solid partnership between employees and the management is one of the prerequisites of effective public service delivery and good governance.

Those who wish to participate in the Congress may register until March 13 at the nearest Civil Service Regional Office or at the Personnel Relations Office, Civil Service Building, Diliman, Quezon City. Participants may also register on March 23 at the Congress venue. Registration fee is P2,700.00

Attendance to the event earns an equivalent of four hours of training credited to each participant. Separate training credits will be given to those who attend the training programs.

For further details, contact telephone numbers 931-4149, 931-8039 and 931-8071.