DOLE monitoring strike-prone firms

Over 400 commercial establishments, mostly located in Metro Manila, are now under tight watch for possible labor disputes and work stoppages, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced yesterday.

Hans Leo Cacdac, executive director of DOLE-National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), said they are now closely monitoring about 416 firms with expiring collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), which could eventually lead to strikes.

"There are 416 establishments with expiring CBAs and it is possible that notices of strikes or preventive mediation would be filed so are we are closely monitoring them to prevent them from turning into actual strikes," Cacdac explained.

He noted that of the 416 establishments, 216 have CBAs expiring within the first semester of the year.

Based on data from the NCMB, 53 percent of the companies with expiring CBAs are from the manufacturing sector. The others are in transport, wholesale and retail and hotel businesses.

According to Cacdac, DOLE is exerting effort to further reduce the number of recorded strikes and maintain industrial peace in the country.

He noted that DOLE is embarking on various programs that would encourage workers and employers to settle disputes amicably and refrain from filing formal complaints if possible.

Last year, the DOLE-NCMB posted a slight increase in the number of actual strikes, but Cacdac said the figure is still considered among the lowest in the country’s history.