DOLE calls on PNP, PEZA to ensure protection of ecozone workers’ rights
Feb 20, 2020 • 2 min Read
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) called on the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to ensure that statutory rights of workers in economic and freeport zones are upheld and protected.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III made the appeal following the recent establishment of Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Office (JIPCO) at the Clark Freeport Zone.
“We express serious concern with the establishment of such structure within special economic and freeport zones in view of its labor and economic impact considering that the effective exercise of freedom of association and collective bargaining contribute to the sustainment of industrial peace and inclusive growth,” Bello said in separate letters to PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa and Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General BGen Charito Plaza.
According to Bello, the establishment of JIPCO could also impact the country’s trade and investment opportunities.
He emphasized that the government’s faithful commitment in promoting and protecting workers’ rights and in improving the application of labor standards has enabled the country to maintain “beneficiary status” under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) since 1989.
Also, based on the EU Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance (GSP+) assessment of the Philippines, the country has been able to maintain ratification of all eight ILO fundamental conventions relevant for the GSP+, including Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention.
In fact, the EU GSP+ assessment has concluded that structures and necessary policy and legal frameworks are in place in the country to ensure the application of labor standards.
The establishment of JIPCO, however, could bring the country under scrutiny of the GSP and EU GSP+, Bello said.
The labor secretary reminded the PNP and PEZA that workers’ rights are recognized and protected under the guidelines formulated by DOLE along with various government agencies relating to their respective roles in the exercise of workers’ right to freedom of association, collective bargaining, right to concerted action and other trade union activities.
Bello is referring to the Joint DOLE-PNP-PEZA Guidelines in the Conduct of PNP Personnel, Economic Zone Police and Security Guards, Company Security Guards and Similar Personnel During Labor Disputes, issued on May 23, 2011, and the Guidelines on the Conduct of the DOLE, DILG, DND, DOJ, AFP and PNP Relative to Exercise of Workers’ Right and Activities, which was issued on May 7, 2012.
DOLE News Release
