Malaya
Monday, September 21, 1998
By Regina Bengco
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is brokering "social accords" with labor unions and the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to suspend layoffs while the economic crisis is plaguing Asia.
Trade Secretary Jose Pardo said industrial peace pacts aimed at promoting in the workplace and preventing the further rise in the unemployment rate will be signed at company level.
Industrial peace through the signing of such covenants is among the Estrada administration's measures to stimulate economic growth.
President Estrada, in a dialogue with labor leaders last July, urged the labor sector to help avert strikes and lockouts which could further cripple the economy. He cited the strike of PAL pilots which he claimed adversely affected local business and the tourism industry.
Pardo said the covenants will promote the competitiveness of the Philippine labor force and attract foreign investors. "Investors count industrial harmony as part of their ability to compete in the global marketplace," he added.
Other Malacañang-approved measures to boost the economy include the abolition of duty-free privileges for non-residents of Clark special economic zone and Subic Freeport, imposing a 60-day deadline in the processing of applications for tax credit by the One-stop Shop Tax Credit and Duty Drawback Center of the finance department, completion of the Bureau of Customs computerization program in 13 ports this year and in seven others by 1999, and allowing private sector representatives as observers in board meetings of government agencies starting with the Marine Industry Authority (Marina).
No comments:
Post a Comment