Employers vow to comply with labor laws

If wages cannot be raised, will a better workplace do for now?

Amid growing demands for a wage increase, employers said they can only promise improvements in working conditions for their employees.

Labor Undersecretary Manuel Imson said representatives of various employers’ groups have pledged to promote worker welfare and working conditions and help employees hone their skills.

Imson said the Employers Confederation of the Philippines led business groups in formalizing their promise of improved benefits for workers by forging a "Tripartite Commitment on Social Accountability" agreement with the government and labor unions.

"The signatories to the agreement particularly agreed to implement programs that would adhere to core labor standards, safety and health of workers and recognition of the workers," Imson said.

According to him, the agreement is considered a milestone in the government’s efforts to engage labor and management in a cooperative, voluntary undertaking that will promote the welfare and rights of workers.

Imson said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been implementing a new labor standards enforcement scheme that encourages companies to self-regulate.

DOLE is hoping that the new scheme will promote compliance with labor regulations protecting minimum wage earners.

Data from DOLE records indicate that several companies are still not providing their employees with the minimum mandated salaries. Many of these companies also violate the human rights of their workers.

Vice President Noli de Castro will and key government officials will attend the ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Nov. 25 of the Jobs Fair organized by ECOP, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) and Pag-IBIG Fund.

The job fair will take place at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

"The Jobs Fair is our contribution to alleviat(ing) the unemployment problem," ECOP president Rene Soriano said. "We are bringing jobs closer to those looking for work."

Thousands of openings will be presented to qualified jobseekers by call centers, engineering and management consultancy firms and companies engaged in manufacturing and providing services.

— Mayen Jaymalin