Voluntary codes of good practices boost industry, says Baldoz

Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz last Friday said the adoption by the country’s industries of voluntary codes of good practices boosts the efforts to wean industries from too much dependence on government for regulation and intervention even on minor issues that industries themselves, in cooperation with tripartite partners, can easily address.

Speaking at the signing of three voluntary codes of good practices — each for the Cebu business process outsourcing – information and telecommunication; education; and hotel, restaurant, and tourism industries in Cebu City, the labor chief said “I cannot over-emphasize the importance of social partnership among management and labor as one of the policy directions of the administration of President Aquino.”

“The DoLE is not now primarily concerned with the issuance of orders. Instead, we are here to hear your views; we are here to guide management and labor along your intention toward social partnership,” she added.

The signing of the three voluntary codes brings to four such codes in the country that have been adopted since July when President Aquino spelled out his administration’s 22-point labor and employment agenda.

The first voluntary code of good practices was adopted by the ICT-BPO industry of Davao City.

The adoption of voluntary codes of good practices is a key DoLE reform measure under the President’s labor and employment agenda.

The reform, together with the establishment or re-invigoration of tripartite industry councils (ITCs), seeks to move industries away from over dependence on government in addressing industry-specific issues toward industry self-governance and industry self-regulation.

Baldoz reiterated that President Aquino is serious in his commitment toward “straight path” in giving the DoLE his 22-point labor and employment agenda.

“The President is focused on job generation by producing high caliber human resource to attract investors in the country. It is our desire that prospective and resident investors will pour more capital and stay longer in our country because industries like yours adhere to certain standards, practices, and commitments as contained in your codes,” the labor chief said.

Citing Cebu as a big factor in the Philippines’s becoming the No. 1 BPO destination in the world, surpassing India, she welcomed the adoption of the voluntary codes as a boon to more investments.

“By this idea of enacting your own voluntary Code of Good Practices, investors will come and stay. Your commitment to uphold the principles contained in your codes will build confidence on the part of the investors. I am glad that you have by yourselves articulated your ideas in promoting industrial peace among your industries,” she said.

Baldoz challenged Cebu’s industries to present their needs to the DoLE and “tell what kind of help do they want from the government,” assuring them that the department and its attached agencies will always be there to extend support.

At the signing, Baldoz also said the creation of the Tripartite Efficiency and Integrity Board (TEIB) to fight corruption within the DoLE is a great innovation to gain the trust and confidence of the public.

“The President is very serious in his campaign toward “straight path” in terms of eliminating corruption in government”, Baldoz said.

“It has been our campaign following the agenda to promote industrial peace all over the country. The most important is tripartism where labor and management is given the freedom to set rules and standard in consonance with the provisions of law,” she also said.

Speaking at the same event, Hans Leo Cacdac, DoLE Undersecretary for Labor Relations, expressed satisfaction that tripartism in Region VII, particularly in Metro Cebu, has been rekindled.

“This is good news because it will reflect as a kind of advertisement that Metro Cebu is a leading business hub in the country,” he said. PNA