MANILA, Philippines — Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino met with labor groups on Wednesday to discuss wages, union rights, contractualization and other concerns affecting Filipino workers.
NAGKAISA! Chairperson lawyer Sonny Matula led the labor coalition during the dialogue at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Central Office in Intramuros, Manila.
Among the issues discussed was National Capital Region Wage Order No. 27, which provides for a P85 daily wage increase.
SENTRO Secretary General Josua Mata thanked Tolentino for personally going to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 and filing a motion for reconsideration in the case involving the wage order.
“I’m very happy to see that you personally went to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152 and filed a motion for reconsideration. We believe that this sends a very strong message to the public, especially to us workers, that we have an ally in your leadership. Thank you for that,” Mata said.
Tolentino said DOLE would continue working to protect workers' rights and promote decent work, including through the Tripartite Roadmap on Freedom of Association.
The roadmap seeks to create an environment where workers can freely and responsibly exercise their right to organize, consistent with Philippine laws and international labor standards.
Freedom of association is also covered by Executive Order 23, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in April 2023, which created an Inter-Agency Committee to strengthen government action on labor rights.
Chaired by the Executive Secretary, with the DOLE secretary as vice chairman, the committee brings together government agencies to investigate, prosecute and resolve cases involving labor violations, extrajudicial killings and harassment of trade unionists, according to DOLE.
Wage reform was also on the agenda, with DOLE saying it would continue discussions through established tripartite mechanisms.
An upcoming National Wages Conference will bring together representatives from labor, employers and government to discuss the methodology for determining a living wage, the department said.
On contractualization, DOLE said that it is reviewing Department Order 174 and stepping up labor inspections, complaint investigations, compliance monitoring and enforcement actions against labor-only contracting.
Job creation and livelihood were also discussed, with DOLE highlighting its job fairs, emergency employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
Concerns involving workers in the public and education sectors were likewise raised during the meeting.
Tolentino reaffirmed his commitment to working with labor groups and other stakeholders to address these concerns and protect workers' rights.
“We pray likewise, ending this meeting, that the rest of the country would experience industrial peace,” Tolentino said.
