MANILA: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will provide cash and livelihood assistance to workers on Labor Day, aside from employment opportunities to jobseekers.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing Tuesday, Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said Wednesday’s observance of the 122nd Labor Day will also commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Labor Code of the Philippines.
‘Dalawang bahagi ang pagdiriwang. Una, ay ang job fairs. Lampas 100 na yata ang sites. Magkakaroon tayo ng Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) payouts. Awarding ng livelihood grants (The celebration has two parts. First, we have job fairs. We have 100 sites. We would also have TUPAD payouts and awarding of livelihood grants),’ he said.
Benavidez said the commemoration of the golden anniversary of the Labor Code’s signing would be at Malacañang Palace.
“It was signed in 1974. It is important for us to commemorate the essence of the Labor Code — a code giving protection to workers,’ h
e said.
He said over 200,000 job vacancies in manufacturing, accommodation, and retail sectors will be offered.
Other available job opportunities include cashier, sales clerk, carpenters, among others.
Benavidez said there will be a special program at the Palace, where the government will acknowledge workers, individuals and groups.
Meanwhile, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the fate of a legislated across-the-board minimum wage for employees is now in the hands of Congress.
“Our obligation is only to give technical inputs so that there would be a balance in considering the needs of the workers and their families and the capacity of employers,” he said in a radio interview.
Some bills pending before the House of Representatives are pushing for across-the-board wage increases for private sector employees.
Laguesma said all the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) have issued their wage orders for employees receiving minimum wage and domestic workers.
Source: Philippines N
ews Agency