Labor Committee Chairman Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada expressed commitment today to readily act on and push for the passage of the priority measures of the administration as identified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
During the organizational meeting of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, the DOLE named the Apprenticeship Bill, Bill Strengthening the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and the proposed Magna Carta for Seafarers as their top three priority measures for the 16th Congress.
Senate Bill 136 (proposed Act Reforming the National Apprenticeship Program and Providing Standards for the Training and Employment of Apprentices) and Senate Bill 21 (An Act Instituting Magna Carta for Seafarers) also form part of Sen. Estrada’s priority measures filed last July.
Labor Undersecretary Rebecca Chato also acknowledged Sen. Estrada’s leadership as Chairman of the Labor Committee for the “productive partnership” between the DOLE and the Senate, and for the “impressive accomplishment” and passage of essential labor laws during the previous 15th Congress, including the Batas Kasambahay, Tripartism Act, lifting the nightwork prohibition, and the law strengthening mandatory conciliation and mediation as labor dispute mechanisms.
USec. Chato hopes to double the output of this inter-branch cooperation, as he presented to the committee a total of 12 legislative measures concerning employment, rights at work and social dialogue for the Congress’ consideration.
Apart from the three, the DOLE is pushing for the enactment of the following legislation for the current Congress:
- Amending Labor Code Provisions on Alien Employment Permit
- Establishing Productivity and Performance Incentives and Gainsharing Program
- Strengthening Labor Law Compliance System
- Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards
- Institutionalizing Occupational Safety and Health Standards in the Construction Industry
- Strengthening Workers’ Right to Self-Organization
- Defining the Power of Assumption or Certification of Labor Disputes by the Secretary of Labor and Employment to Undertakings which Involve Essential Services
- Strengthening Voluntary Arbitration as a Preferential Mode of Labor Dispute Settlement
- Providing for the Appeal of the Decisions of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
Sen. Estrada also urged the DOLE to coordinate and seek the support of the House of Representatives through the Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment Davao City 1st District Cong. Karlo Nograles to ensure immediate approval of the said bills.
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