DOLE Undersecretary holds labor consultations with Bataan Freeport workers

MARIVELES, Bataan – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Joel Maglungsod, over the weekend, spearheaded a Labor and Legal Consultation with some 142 locator-workers of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) and neighboring areas in the province.

The half-day event, held at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish in Mariveles town, was facilitated by the Mariveles Ecumenical Workers’ Desk (MEWD) and Solidarity with Workers’ Network (SWN).

The DOLE Regional Office and its Bataan Field Office, Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), and Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) were represented in full force.

Maglunsod was accompanied by DOLE Central Luzon Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Geraldine Panlilio, Labor and Employment Officers Pauli Ong and Elisa Baldevarona of the BWC and OSHC, respectively.

In his opening statement, Maglunsod urged all workers in attendance for a peaceful and meaningful dialogue towards finding ways to address their various labor issues.

“Sa ngalan po ni Kalihim Silvestre Bello III, kami po ay nagagalak na maging panauhin sa konsultasyong ito upang talakayin natin ang mga pangunahing suliranin na kinahaharap ninyong mga manggagawa dito sa FAB at sa iba pang kumpanya dito sa lalawigan ng Bataan,” Maglunsod said, adding:

“Umaasa po kami na magkakaroon tayo ng isang maganda at mapayapang dialogo tungo sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa pagtugon sa mga suliraning ito.”

A prevailing issue raised during the consultation is “contractualization,” particularly, the pending regularization of workers, as ordered by the DOLE to some locators found to be practicing labor-only contracting (LOC).

Another issue raised is the frequent change of contractors/service providers in a single principal and contractors/service providers whose D.O. 174-17 were revoked, allegedly operating now under new names.

Other issues tackled during the consultation include the alleged incidence of union-busting, wage depression schemes, payment of wages and benefits, and overtime of pregnant workers.

Maglungsod, a labor leader himself now manning the labor agency’s workers protection cluster, urged workers to be participative in labor consultations to improve polices geared to further protect their welfare.

“Ang inyo pong lingkod ay isang ring kahanay ninyo at isa rin sa mga sumasama sa mga kilusan ng mga manggagawa noong araw. Nauunawaan ko po ang inyong sitwasyon kaya nandito po ang DOLE upang sama sama nating matugunan ang inyong mga hinaing,” Maglunsod said.

Maglunsod also noted that the said consultation is an integral component of the “DOLE Clinic” — a mechanism bringing DOLE programs, particularly labor enforcement and dispute resolution, closer to the grassroots.

ARD Panlilio, who provided a brief discussion on Basic Rights of Workers, as well as answer some labor queries, assured that the DOLE will assist in addressing their above-mentioned issues.

“Kami po ay nandito at katuwang ninyo upang makahanap tayo ng win-win solusyon upang matugunan natin ang mga labor issues na inilapit po ninyo sa amin at makakasigurado po kayo na gagawa tayo ng mga hakbang upang maisakatuparan po natin ito upang mapanatili natin ang kaayusan ng relasyon ninyo sa management,” Panlilio said.

Some of the workers in attendance are either officials or members of the Alyansa ng Manggagawa sa Bataan – Bataan Alliance of Labor Association (AMBA BALA).

Another series of labor consultations with various workers or working groups will be held in other parts of Central Luzon in the weeks to come.