DOLE-13 rolls out new guidelines on freedom of association
BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Caraga has rolled out the new Omnibus Guidelines on the Exercise of Freedom of Association (FOA) and Civil Liberties to labor, employers, and government sectors in the region.
Held at the Almont Inland Resort in
Butuan City, the rollout was led by DOLE Undersecretary Felipe N. Egargo Jr.,
Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, and DOLE Caraga Regional
Director Joffrey M. Suyao.
The new guidelines, Joint Memorandum
Order (JMO) No. 1, Series of 2024, is designed to serve as a comprehensive
framework to ensure that workers’ rights to freedom of association and their
civil liberties are fully protected.
The JMO also streamlined the roles
and responsibilities of all stakeholders, such as the State, all workers and
employers, in promoting labor and employment education while ensuring public
safety.
It is aligned with international
standards set by International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87, or
the “Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize,” and ILO
Convention No. 98, or the “Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining.”
In his keynote address,
Undersecretary Egargo said the guidelines laid down the collective
responsibility of stakeholders to ensure that all workers in the private sector
can freely associate and engage in collective bargaining without fear of
interference, discrimination, or reprisal.
“It is imperative that we have a
clear, comprehensive, and enforceable framework that protects these rights
while balancing the interests of all stakeholders,” he said.
Further, Assistant Secretary Serrano
explained that the guidelines facilitated the efficient and effective
coordination and common understanding in the administration and enforcement of
labor laws, implementation of labor education, maintenance of peace and order,
and prosecution of cases.
Meanwhile, Dir. Suyao committed to an
intensive collaboration with tripartite partners from the workers, employers,
and public sectors to ensure that workers’ rights and welfare are respected in
Caraga.
Bureau of Labor Relations Director
Labor - Arbiter Maria Consuelo S. Bacay and DOLE Caraga Mediator-Arbiter
Rechell Bazar-Apao also served as resource speakers during the rollout.
They highlighted the roles and responsibilities of workers, employers, and stakeholders from the government under the Omnibus Guidelines, and provided relevant updates on progress in the implementation of the Freedom of Association Roadmap. (DOLE XIII, AG/IPS/PIA-Caraga)
