Team unity bats for LaborCom

The Team Unity will press for the modernization of the Labor Code to keep it in step with labor trends and the sweeping changes in the employment landscape, reelectionist Senator Edgardo J. Angara said.

In a Labor Day statement, Team Unity candidate Angara said that TU recognizes the emerging economic and social trends, and as a responsible and modern political coalition, it is spearheading the move to flesh out the best amendments to the Labor Code to make it responsive to these trends.

"It is probably this modern mindset that separates Team Unity from other political coalitions that are sowing hate, intrigue and political chaos," said Angara.

He pointed out that rapid developments in information and communications technology (ICT) have created jobs that are not within the ambit of the current Labor Code. These are the contact center, BPO (business process outsourcing) and ICT jobs, jobs in medical transcription, the jobs in accountancy services and architectural design that are all IT-enabled.

The country's labor rules and regulations have to adjust to these current realities, said Angara, and the "question of how" would be answered by the proposed LaborCom.

"There is an entirely new paradigm in the sector of labor and employment. We have to study this in-depth," Angara said.

Team Unity has endorsed Angara's proposal that the in-depth study and appropriate amendments to the Labor Code should be undertaken by a new Congressional Commission on Labor (LaborCom).

"One area of interest is the weakening of trade unions. What are the reasons for this phenomenon, which is happening not only in the Philippines but also in the rest of the world?" asked Angara.

He added that the proposed LaborCom would also explore areas where labor could get help outside of the benefits mandated under the Labor Code.

Angara said TU also fully supports the administration's initiatives for labor, which between 2004 and 2006, had created 1.39 million new jobs from small and medium-scale enterprises that had been granted state support.

"Massive infrastructure investments, big support to micro-finance and rural investments have likewise boosted the job-creation of the administration to unprecedented levels," Angara noted.

Angara said the Arroyo administration has done so much in these areas, including the grant of non-wage benefits, clothing allowances, health benefits, and improved social services.

"A cooperative Congress supportive of the President's growth agenda can do more for labor and employment," Angara said.