BY VENUS G. VILLANUEVA
KALIBO, Aklan - Aklan has a peaceful labor situation, according to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Provincial Head Joselito de La Banda.
De la Banda said DOLE-Aklan regularly conducts inspections of establishments in mainland Aklan and in Boracay Island on proper labor standards and wages and most often, employers voluntarily comply with labor laws and regulations.
“Our thrust now is more on the strengthening of relationships between employers and employees, that’s why the DOLE is scheduling 2 batches of seminars in May and June for Boracay and Kalibo employers,” said De la Banda.
De la Banda said that Boracay employers, mostly composed of hotel and restaurant owners, business shops and other service-oriented establishments, will have their seminar on May 23-24 of this year which will focus on technical assistance, employers’ obligations to their employees including wage benefits, labor relations, human relations and productivity of enterprises in Aklan.
Kalibo employers, composed mostly of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, will have their seminar schedule in June.
According to De La Banda, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the biggest job providers in the province.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be announcing some good news in terms of non-wage benefits on Labor Day. The benefits will be in the area of basic commodities, on food, housing and health. A special announcement will also be made for government employees.
Salary increases for the private sector will be taken care of by the regional wage boards. The wage boards will review minimum wage levels in June when the one year prescription period between adjustments end.
Pay hikes are opposed by employers, especially among small and medium enterprises, citing that any increase is unaffordable at this time and it may force them to lay off workers. The wage boards will strive to balance the interest of both workers and employers to ensure the financial viability of business establishments.
The President had approved an across-the-board ten percent increase in the basic salary of civil servants effective July, this year and this will cost the government an additional P13 billion in payroll expenses.
De la Banda said DOLE-Aklan regularly conducts inspections of establishments in mainland Aklan and in Boracay Island on proper labor standards and wages and most often, employers voluntarily comply with labor laws and regulations.
“Our thrust now is more on the strengthening of relationships between employers and employees, that’s why the DOLE is scheduling 2 batches of seminars in May and June for Boracay and Kalibo employers,” said De la Banda.
De la Banda said that Boracay employers, mostly composed of hotel and restaurant owners, business shops and other service-oriented establishments, will have their seminar on May 23-24 of this year which will focus on technical assistance, employers’ obligations to their employees including wage benefits, labor relations, human relations and productivity of enterprises in Aklan.
Kalibo employers, composed mostly of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, will have their seminar schedule in June.
According to De La Banda, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the biggest job providers in the province.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be announcing some good news in terms of non-wage benefits on Labor Day. The benefits will be in the area of basic commodities, on food, housing and health. A special announcement will also be made for government employees.
Salary increases for the private sector will be taken care of by the regional wage boards. The wage boards will review minimum wage levels in June when the one year prescription period between adjustments end.
Pay hikes are opposed by employers, especially among small and medium enterprises, citing that any increase is unaffordable at this time and it may force them to lay off workers. The wage boards will strive to balance the interest of both workers and employers to ensure the financial viability of business establishments.
The President had approved an across-the-board ten percent increase in the basic salary of civil servants effective July, this year and this will cost the government an additional P13 billion in payroll expenses.
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