A fete for 85 sterling years

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) marks its 85th anniversary with remarkable accomplishments gained through the collective hard work and dedicated service of its people. The weeklong celebration has been slated as tribute to its employees and officials for their valuable share to the record successes of the department through the years.

Themed“Kaagapay sa Matapat, Malinis at MaaasahangSerbisyo,” the observance highlights DOLE milestones,and a renewal ofthe commitment to promote gainful employment and the uphold of the welfare of the Filipino workers.

“Apart from giving recognition to the dedicated service of our employees, the department equally acknowledges its social partners for their contribution in making DOLE relevant to the needs of the times,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

The labor department is winning the war against illegal contractualization, along with the intensified implementation of labor laws and standards, and occupational health and safety in workplaces. It also prides itself with having improved the services to safeguard the welfare and interest of overseas Filipino workers.

“We will continue to be relentless in fulfilling our mandate to uplift the living conditions of the Filipino workers,” Bello said.

The celebration features activities intended to raise awareness on the department’s years of providing service. A Photo Exhibit showcases a glimpse of the department’s milestones and undertakings in more than eight decades of service.

Also, DOLE employees who have been working in the department for 25 years or more will be conferred with loyalty award in recognition of their efforts and dedication to public service.

Further making the observance a remarkable one, DOLE in partnership with about 30 Rotary Clubs of District 3830 has set a special jobs and opportunities fair exclusively for Persons with Disability at the Quezon City Hall.

More than 1,000 job vacancies are offered by private participating companies willing to provide opportunities to less fortunate members of the community in Metro Manila. The special job and opportunities fair is also timed with the celebration of the International Day for Persons with Disability.

The labor department started as a small bureau in 1908 and became a department in December 8, 1933 by the virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 4121. It was renamed Ministry of Labor and Employment in 1980, and again renamed Department of Labor and Employment after the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

It administers five bureaus, 11 attached agencies, 16 regional offices, 36 overseas offices and has a manpower complement of 6,665. (Abegail De Vega)