Certification rules for garment companies availing GSP adopted

The country has adopted rules on securing certificate of accreditation for garments manufacturers, exporters, and subcontractors availing of preferential tariffs under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP) scheme.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Accreditation Board (DAB) shall issue such certificate confirming that the exporter or subcontractor meets minimum labor standards.

This, after the applicant receives a favorable recommendation from the Workers' Rights Review Committee on the implementation of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and DTI Joint Department Order (DO) No. 1, series of 2017.

The Committee shall consider the following grounds: Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor; effective abolition of child labor; and elimination of discrimination with respect to employment and occupation.

It will also review acceptable conditions of work provided under Philippine laws and regulations related to minimum wages, hours of work, Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC or PhilHealth), Employee Compensation Commission (ECC), and occupational safety and health; and international labor standards, as ratified by the Philippines, to protect basic worker rights, enhance workers' job security and improve their terms of employment.

The concerned DOLE Regional Office shall conduct the inspection in accordance with DO 183-17 within 24 hours from receipt of the request from the Committee, through the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR).

A certified true copy of the Notice of Results shall be furnished to the Committee through BLR within three days from the conduct of inspection.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) has lauded the DOLE and DTI for approving the inspection certificate of compliance on minimum labor standards.

FOBAP, which has been clamoring for such certificate, hopes this can increase the country's export revenue from the United States market. (PHILEXPORT News and Features)