The labor department has underscored the effectiveness of Grievance Machinery (GM) in workplaces in the peaceful settlement of labor disputes and in reinforcing labor-management relations.
Citing a report from the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said “Grievance machinery provides peaceful resolution to labor disputes in a systematic manner. It serves as communication channel for the parties, and gives opportunity for workers to voice their concerns.”
The NCMB report said of the existing 3,820 grievance machineries nationwide, 3,707 or 97 percent indicated no Actual Strike/Lockouts, Notices of Strike/Lockout, and Preventive Mediation or Voluntary Arbitration cases since January 2018.
Grievance machinery is intended to promote friendly dialogue between labor and management as a means of maintaining industrial peace.
Under the alternative dispute settlement mechanism, every employee has the opportunity to be heard to address their dissatisfaction which affects the employee’s morale and reduce their efficiency at work.
Article 260 of the Labor Code requires parties to establish grievance machinery for the resolution of grievances arising from the interpretation or implementation of a collective bargaining agreement or the interpretation or enforcement of company personnel policies.
As of June 30, 2018, DOLE has enhanced the operations of 1,177 GMs nationwide. Aside from the grievance machinery, the labor department has also enhanced the operation of Labor Management Cooperations (LMCs) in companies through convergence program with the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) , and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC).
DOLE press release
