Bishop raps ruling on PAL labor row

By Jocelyn R. Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:53:00 11/06/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The government’s decision to allow flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) push through with its plan to lay off 2,600 workers merely indicated the Aquino administration’s policy to continue labor-only contracting arrangements in the country, according to a Church official.
Disappointed with the recent decision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that profit appeared to be more important for the government than the dignity of workers.

“This clearly shows that the policy of the present administration is to favor the capitalists than the ordinary workers,” said Pabillo, chair of the Catholic Bishops’ National Secretariat for Social Action.
“It also means that it is a policy of the Aquino administration to continue the labor-only contracting arrangements and casualization of labor in the country,” the prelate said Friday.

Last week, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz gave PAL the go-signal to proceed with the layoff of 2,600 employees as a consequence of its plan to outsource services to cut costs.

In a ruling, Baldoz said contracting out services and closing down PAL’s in-flight catering, airport services and call-center reservation operations were lawful and were valid exercises of managerial prerogative.

Pabillo said the decision would also deprive the workers “the just share of the fruits of their labor.”