American and other foreign investors are bothered by reports of widespread labor standard violations in the Philippines and may pull out their capital from the country, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) warned yesterday.
TUCP said the California Public Employees Retirement System (Calpers), one of the country’s top investors, is worried over reports of labor violations in the country.
Calpers previously commissioned a study, which indicated widespread violations in the Philippines.
Even data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that some 40 percent of firms inspected by the department violate standards, ranging from non-compliance with the minimum wage law and occupational safety and health regulations to non-payment of SSS and Pag-IBIG premiums.
While admitting that the weakness in enforcement of labor standards is partly due to the DOLE’s lack of inspection personnel, TUCP president Democrito Mendoza said the problem must be addressed.
Mendoza pointed out that many foreign investors are now putting a premium on compliance to labor standards in choosing investment destinations. Thus, there is the need to strengthen the enforcement of such regulations.
“It is essential to address such concerns to ensure the steady flow of capital into the country and to generate jobs for the over 35 million-strong labor force,” he explained.
“We may wake up one day to find that these investors have pulled out their money from the Philippines because we are unable to enforce our own labor standards,” Mendoza added.
TUCP then called on new Labor Secretary Arturo Brion to tap employers’ groups and trade unions to help in labor standards inspection and enforcement.
“The DOLE direly needs assistance in inspecting the country’s close to a million registered business establishments and we strongly recommend to Secretary Brion to mobilize employers to police their ranks and to allow trade union leaders to help in the inspection and advocacy for compliance on labor regulations,” Mendoza said. — Mayen Jaymalin, Philippine Star
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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