Tulfo urges DOLE to address workers’ abuse
SAYING that many Filipino workers are suffering from abuse by their employers, Senator Raffy Tulfo during the organizational meeting of the Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development chaired by Senator Jose Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to immediately address the so-called abuses against Filipino workers by some of employers.
Obviously piqued, Tulfo challenged DOLE to address this issue as he explained that many Filipino workers are suffering this kind of abuse.
“I always give suggestions, I always talk to the DOLE people, they just say yes but they still don’t find a way. Until now many people are still not paid correctly, not given the right wages. You, who are new in office, what is your plan to address this that has been oppressing Filipino workers? They are not given proper wages, they are underpaid, there are no benefits, they are not given overtime pay, they are not given 13th month pay, what is your plan?” Tulfo said.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Benny Laguesma who was present during the hearing said the department has regular inspection programs and technical assistance but asked for ample time to address the issue in the labor sector.
Estrada who presided over the Committee hearing pledged his commitment to crafting important and relevant legislation in support of the DOLE’s objectives and goals.
Estrada vowed to help Filipino workers in addressing many similar issues and said that his committee would also tackle proposals on the Freelancers Protection Act as well.
Sen. Nancy Binay for her part asks DOLE on the government’s efforts to address the increased rate of underemployment in the Philippines.
Binay raised the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report that the number of underemployed Filipinos rose to 6.54 million in July from the 5.89 million recorded in June. Laguesma admitted that the quality of jobs in the country remains a “challenge” for the DOLE, but said that they would be working closely with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to upskill workers.
Asked by Binay, Laguesma also confirmed coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), and TESDA, as part of the implementation of the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act, to address jobs mismatch in the country.
Binay said the government must ensure that Filipinos in our country will have a decent job and a decent earnings that will help them and their families.
Senators echoed one voice in urging DOLE to give proper support to Filipino workers which they said is one way to help the government in solving the present economic situations brought by the recent pandemic that hit the global world.
