DOLE strengthens Surigao Sur worker protection and welfare program
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — Workers from two establishments in Surigao del Sur gained practical knowledge on labor standards, occupational safety and health, gender equality, and workplace harassment prevention through the recent Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Family Welfare Program (FWP) orientation and capacity development activities.
Held on October 9 and 12, the activities benefited employees of Truck Lord Hauling Services in Carrascal and Golden Lion (Food) Corporation in Tandag City by providing guidance on workers’ rights, workplace safety, proper labor relations, and programs that address employees’ family and personal welfare needs.
DOLE Surigao del Sur Head Genebelle B. Bal and other labor officers discussed the program’s implementation, occupational safety and health standards, and International Labour Organization Convention No. 190, which addresses violence and harassment in the world of work. The sessions also aimed to help establishments organize functional Family Welfare Committees and develop programs responsive to workers’ needs.
One participant, Resty Kathreen Piedad, expressed appreciation for the orientation, saying, “Mapasalamaton kami karajaw sa DOLE kay hamok an amo nahibay-an og nasabtan bahin sa Family Welfare Program, apil an General Labor Standards, og OSH” (We are very grateful to DOLE because we have learned and understood a lot about the Family Welfare Program, including General Labor Standards and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH). The statement reflects the participant’s gratitude for gaining a better understanding of the Family Welfare Program, general labor standards, and occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements.
The knowledge gained can help workers better understand their rights and responsibilities, recognize workplace hazards, and become more aware of available welfare programs and mechanisms for addressing workplace concerns. It also equips employees to contribute toward a safer, more supportive work environment.
The initiative supported the government’s efforts to promote decent work, protect workers’ rights, and strengthen employee welfare. By equipping workers and employers with relevant knowledge, DOLE helps foster safer, more inclusive, and more responsive workplaces that contribute to workers’ well-being and productivity. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
