Employers’ want list
Since 1935, during every turnover of government to a newly elected president, the business community has been expressing in different ways its customary warm welcome to the incoming leader with guarded optimism.
This ritual has become a tradition because most employers’ expectations ever since were half-heartedly given attention by many past administrations.
A big number of voters will vigorously disagree that the election of 2022 may have some similarities to the elections of Emilio Aguinaldo and Jose P. Laurel who took over the reins of power under difficult wartime conditions.
But an equal number might reluctantly agree to the comparison. In today’s globalized era, this year’s election saw the whole world, especially in the Philippines, still fighting an unfinished two-year war against the Covid-19 pandemic, its resurgence in key economies like China and Korea, Ukraine-Russia war, the assassination of Prime Minister Abe, the bankruptcy of Sri Lanka, the raising of US Federal interest rates, all of which continue to pose a serious threat to the global economic recovery.
Undaunted by all these challenges, Philippine-based employers dutifully submit the following “wants” list to the newly elected president with the hope that the collective dreams he promised may become a reality.
Conduct a comprehensive review of the Labor Code and repeal all highly restrictive, punitive and uncompetitive provisions without diminishing the social protection of workers.
Review and reform the funeral pace labor justice system and apply the science of jurisprudence in its decisions.
Conduct a comprehensive review of the Labor Code and repeal all highly restrictive, punitive and uncompetitive provisions without diminishing the social protection of workers
Update and resolve within one year all long outstanding labor cases especially those involving potential big foreign investors.
Strengthen the single -entry approach (SENA) in the Department of Labor (DoLE) for faster and more efficient mediation and quick closure of labor-employer conflict by strictly enforcing the rules on time and early adjudication of cases.
Fortify tripartism by giving back to the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers and other recognized trade unions or federations the privilege to nominate their representatives in all tripartite agencies in government without the intervention of third parties.
Enjoin both houses of Congress to be judicious in filing bills that are antiemployment, unproductive, uncompetitive and divisive.
There are hundreds of pending bills filed and refiledwhich, if enacted into law, will disincentivize investment and cause retrenchment of workers.
One common populist issue in many of these bills is to make more national holidays. Presently, the Philippines holds the distinction of having the highest number of paid holidays and leaves among its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and highly developed economies.
Yet, these bills call for more national holidays and increasing the paid holidays and leaves of female workers from 182 to 405 days per year, which would go over the year’s total of 365 days. For gender equality and probably as an afterthought, paid holidays and leaves for male workers are also being increased from 141 to 355 days.
Presently, the Philippines holds the distinction of having the highest number of paid holidays and leaves among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Worse, there are bills filed to increase the number of local holidays which will impact enterprises operating in many jurisdictions in the country. As well, employers pay for unofficial non-working days due to typhoons and floods, special big events like ASEAN conferences, boxing matches of Manny Pacquiao and others, and the traditional low productive days during Christmas seasons.
Aggressively campaign to reorient the more than 17,000 registered labor unions to unite and actively support the tripartite partnership between government, labor, and capital with a common goal of national development thru industrial peace and high productivity.
The above “wants” list does not claim to be exhaustive nor does it guarantee Nirvana for employers, but it should give them some hope while they wait for the promised better tomorrow.