PAL ruling not signal for others to outsource jobs, says Baldoz

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Labor’s decision allowing the retrenchment of 2,600 Philippine Airlines workers should not be considered as a “green light” by other companies to violate labor rights, particularly contracting out jobs, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

In a statement issued late on Friday, Baldoz said her department’s ruling allowing outsourcing by the airline “specifically applies” only to PAL’s labor dispute with its union of ground workers, the PAL Employees Association (Palea).

“Companies and businesses should not take the DOLE decision to mean as a green light for contracting out jobs, work or services in violation of the constitutional right of workers to security of tenure and of the provisions of the Labor Code, as amended, specifically Articles 106 to 109, Department Order No. 18-02, existing and valid collective bargaining agreements, and other applicable laws,” Baldoz said.

“I reiterate that while contracting out is allowed under the Labor Code, this should be lawful and with evidence of good faith,” she said.

Baldoz reiterated that the government had yet “to craft and adopt a policy” on outsourcing.

“We also urge the management of the Philippine Airlines to refrain from any action or from issuing any statement that tend to undermine the government’s conciliation-mediation efforts,” Baldoz said.

Baldoz said the labor department remained confident and shared President Aquino’s optimism that PAL management and Palea would reach a “negotiated settlement” to avert any labor strike from breaking out. –Philip Tubeza, Philippine Daily Inquirer