TUBA, Benguet – Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma underscored that the conduct of social dialogue between labor and management will sustain the reign of industrial peace in various companies operating in the different parts of the country.
Laguesma, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the celebration of the 62nd feast of the Sto. Niño de Prague here over the weekend, pointed out that constant consultations and dialogue between labor and management on the pressing issues and concerns in the workplace will definitely help in the establishment of mutual respect of both parties that will translate to a much healthier working environment in the workplaces.
He claimed that the unnecessary interruption of business activities because of unforeseen events and brewing disputes between labor and management will definitely send a wrong signal to prospective investors wanting to establish their desired businesses in strategic areas around the country.
The labor official stipulated that while both parties, labor and management, are passionate in defending their respective positions on various issues and concerns in the workplaces, especially when it comes to wage increase, what is important is that both parties will be able to agree on a ‘win-win’ formula that will be realistic and acceptable to the concerned sectors.
Secretary Laguesma lauded Philex Mining Corporation and the Philex Mines Supervisory Employees Union (PMSEU) and the Philex Mines Independent Labor Union (PMILU) for showcasing their maturity in the negotiating table to prevent the possible disruption of normal operations that could have impacted on the country’s mineral industry.
According to him, such display of maturity in the negotiating table amidst the passion of both parties to fight for what is due to both labor and management should be worthy of emulation by other industrial companies operating in the different parts of the country.
However, he assured concerned sectors that the labor department through the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) is always willing to extend the appropriate assistance to both labor and management when encountering problems on unresolved issues and concerns in the negotiating table so that the greater interest of both parties will prevail to avoid such situation from going beyond the control of the authorities.
Laguesma said that despite all the heated arguments that transpire in the negotiating table due to the passion of both parties in asserting their positions on labor and management issues, it is always the interest of the country’s economy that will prevail and whatever intention to disrupt the same shall be averted and shelved.
The DOLE Secretary emphasized that the labor department will always look into the welfare of the workers as one of its overarching agenda in dealing with difficult situations to ensure that there will be no unnecessary interruption of work because of its negative impact to the ability of people to earn income, especially that the global economy is on the recovery mode after being heavily impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic over the past 2 years.
He rallied labor and management to be always in talking terms so that whatever issues and concerns that will arise in the workplaces will be given immediate attention for the established mechanisms to be operational among the critical sectors of the economy.
