Last Friday, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz delivered the Keynote Address during the commemoration of the Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) 58th Anniversary at the Ichikawa Hall, Occupational Safety and Health Center, Quezon City. As she recalled her days in the Bureau, she envisioned a convergence of DOLE programs centered on productivity.

“Di po natin makakaila that through productivity schemes, employees do enjoy higher take-home pay for their families. They become more competitive. Through productivity schemes, employers do optimize profits that can be tapped for business expansion thus generating more employment opportunities. In short, productivity schemes are both beneficial to the workers and employers.” Baldoz said.

To attest to this vision, representatives from Sunlight Foods Corporation and Goldwin Manufacturing Laboratories Corporation were invited to share their corresponding best practices. Secretary Baldoz advocated having productivity-based Collective Bargaining Agreements as a mechanism to optimize profits that can be tapped for business expansion thus, generating more employment opportunities.

She also welcomed the milestones in the history of the Bureau as notable activities were held. At the forefront of the activities was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Manila Bulletin to forge a partnership in the advocacy of the Labor and Employment Education Services (LEES). The Secretary together with Manila Bulletin’s Vice President for Classified Ads, Ms. Lynne Abanilla inked their partnership.

She congratulated the BLR in its endeavor to advocate the right to self-organization and recognized former scholars of the Workers Organization Development Program (WODP) who, even after graduation, continued to be active in serving their sponsor organizations. The scholars given recognition are: Danilo Laserna, Angelita Señorin, Eule Rico Bonganay, Edwin Bustillos, Ramon Certeza and Renato Magtubo.

As the events continued, DOLE stakeholders were given the first glimpse of the Distant Filing of PCE, a web application designed to innovate the Certification Election process.

The BLR anniversary program ended successfully with the marching order of the Secretary in mind to sustain the innovations and reforms to make tripartism and social dialogue an avenue to empower workers and employers.