Clark Freeport locators from nearby regions undergo labor education

CLARK FREEPORT– Some 163 labor and management representatives recently attended a Seminar on Labor Relations and Human Relations at the Widus Hotel in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

The seminar, which banners the theme “Unlocking the Secret of Industrial Peace,” was organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Clark Satellite Office.

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that aside from Freeport locators, firms from nearby provinces and outside Central Luzon were represented.

“This is the first time we held a labor education that was participated by some firms outside of our region. It is a pleasure for us that we get opportunities like this in order to extend our continuing labor education program to more firms with the goal of strengthening harmonious relationships between labor and management across industries,” Dione explained.

“We would like to ac- knowledge and thank all our participating companies, especially those coming from all the way from Metro Manila, Pangasinan, and even as far as Ilocos Sur, and also some locators from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, that actively joined today’s seminar,” she added.

Dione, who kicked-off the seminar with a lecture on Labor Relations, urged labor and management to find ways and means to settle possible labor disputes.

“We all know how labor disputes adversely affect productivity and output in your companies’ day-to-day operations and we hope both labor and management can find time to sit down and iron out these differences, whether it be monetary, benefits, or other labor-related issues,” Dione said.

“This is why we want you to take this opportunity and be reacquainted with our country’s prevailing labor laws and labor relations practices in order to strengthen industrial relationships at the work

place,” she futhered.

Topics highlighted by Dione in her lecture include Workers’ Rights, Management Prerogatives, Labor Laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), and the State Powers, among others.

Aside from this, Dione highlighted the Philippine Labor Adjudication System and Important Role of the Human Resource Department and its influence on the company’s organization.

Assistant Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio, for her part, provided a lecture on Labor Relations covering Employee Discipline, Grievance Handling, and Termination of Employment.

In her lecture, Panlilio zeroed-in on common issues of management, common reasons why workers organize, elements of employee discipline, and causes of termination and observance of due process.

The timeliness of the seminar was widely received by the attending participants as they assured to apply what they have learned in their respective companies.

“This seminar was very helpful to management and human resource (HR) practitioners” says HR Manager Almarea Jarra of International Drilling Exploration Supply and Services, Inc.

“Hoping for more seminars like this to further equip professionals with knowledge on labor relations and human relations,” says Admin and Finance Manager Aiko Lim of Oak Leather Clark, Inc.

Locators interested in availing various DOLE seminars may contact Senior Labor and Employment Officer Jose Roberto Navata of the DOLE Clark Satellite Office at (045) 499-3317 or email at dolero3clark@gmail.com. ---Jerry Borja/ DOLE-3 LCO