Labor dispute center opens in Balamban

CEBU, Philippines - An Alternative Dispute Resolution was recently established at the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban where workers may file requests for assistance (RFAs) under the Single Entry Approach program without having to go to the Department of Labor and Employment office.

In a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Department of Labor and Employment DOLE-7 and the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch (RCMB-7) with the West Cebu Economic Zone administrators, salient features include the establishment of SENA desks in the ADR Center.

The MOU also provided workers within the zone better access to the conciliation-mediation services of the two labor agencies.

The ADR Center will be manned by a staff of the economic zone with the assistance of the DOLE and NCMB who will oversee and monitor its operation.

In a statement, DOLE said that policy reforms are part of the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Aquino III, particularly item number 6 which provides for streamlining procedures and removing red tape in labor arbitration and adjudication. (FREEMAN)