Analyses of the Labor Policies of the Philippines

Wage Rationalization Act or Republic Act 6727

Through the years, economic crisis and rapid increase of inflation has been felt by most
of the Filipino workers that led to the inefficacy of their wages to support their living. This law
was enacted to rationalize the wage policy determination in the Philippines. It is the answer of
the government in lieu of the increasing demands of the labor force to initiate changes as to the
wages of laborers that is significant in their own living. It includes some amendments to the
Labor Code of the Philippines, to be specific, an additional increase of P25.00 in wages.
Employers are hereby enforced to follow the law in the minimum wage rates as prescribed by the
law itself. Non compliance would mean in admission of liabilities over the law enacted. Hence,
this law was enacted to enshrine the importance of labor force in the Philippines and as an
answer for the governments duty to provide employment for its citizens.

Speedy and Efficient Delivery of Labor Justice Project (SpeED)
Under the Aquino administration, various labor cases have been pending before the labor
department and other labor agencies. The president ordered the secretary of labor department to
expedite the labor justice system which focuses briefly on the process of mediation in order to
preserve the harmony and productivity of both the complainant and the respondent. In particular,
the department chief has been enthusiastic in disposing the cases which leads to the successful
integration of diplomacy in resolving these labor disputes. Hence, this matter of labor justice in
President Aquinos reign would fervently preserve the public-private relations in attaining its
both purposes. Moreover, it provides the necessity of having this conciliation for future labor
partnership for the Filipinos benefits.
Workers Protection or Republic Act 10151
This law was enacted in lieu of the international recognition of womens
participation equally treated as what men have. In the words of Senator Jinggoy Ejercito
Estrada, there is a need to amend the Labor Code and thus to encourages women participation
in labor force and ensures equal employment opportunities for men and women, especially in the
booming call center industry. Apparently, this law was enacted to lift the ban against women to
work at night. In connection to that matter, this law clearly stated that workers have their rights
especially in the health aspect to sustain its healthy performance in the workplace. Thus,
employers of these night workers were required under this law to provide adequate attention on
these rights.

Youth Employment or Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES)
This program is in accordance with Republic Act 7323 which helps poor but deserving
student to pursue his college education. It is part of the KABATAAN 2000 program that
encourages Filipino people that has dedication in continuing his studies despite the financial
constraint which somehow hinders its educational realization. In this program, students will
augment their income by rendering service in some accredited employers that will support this
program. 60% of which would be the students income while 40% will serve as the governments
part in giving educational assistance for them. Hence, this program in particular encourages the
participation of students that have the ability regardless of their status.



Dual Training System or Republic Act 7686
The Dual Training System was established in the Philippines in order to provide
educational means for the poor but deserving Filipino students who have talents and skills that
may be use in the real world. In this program, it explains the dual function of training the student
to be an effective and productive citizen of the country. These are: academic training, and
technical training. As to the first, students were trained the basic concepts, theories, subjects, to
show the art of educational aspect. While on the second stance, students were trained technical
skills which take in the application of what they have learned in the academe. Therefore, this
program provides a superb determination on the part of the government to emphasize the good
relations with the employers and academes in order to achieve its goals.

Job Generation or Governments Emergency Employment Program (EPP)
This program is in accordance with Republic Act 6685 signed by then president Corazon
Aquino which revived by the present administration to suffice the increasing unemployment rate
in the country. In particular this program is specifically using public works as a means to have
employment for the Filipino people. The national and the local government have to collaborate
in providing jobs for the Filipino people through creation of infrastructure projects such as
highways, roads, school facilities, water system, and etc. This program put emphasis to a
convenient yet sufficing mechanism to lessen the rate of Filipinos who has no any job. It is also
considering the international aid to provide jobs by investing in the country and create more
infrastructure projects for developmental purposes.


Republic Act 10022
This law was enacted to amend of the previous Migrant Workers Act of 1995. In this law,
it scrutinizes more the protection of the overseas Filipino workers. More decisively, it provides
the government the actual capacity of answering the needs and protection of its citizens abroad,
as mandated by the constitution, and therefore do utmost responsible administration for them. It
includes the international agreement for the countries that will be responsible in maintaining the
safety and protection of Filipinos; considering the basic rights enshrined in the bilateral or
multilateral agreement entered by the government; and especially the insurance for these Filipino
migrant workers for some important benefits that is inevitable and indispensable. Thus, it gives
the current government to adopt a comprehensive foreign labor policy for the Philippines.

Working Conditions of Bus Drivers and Operators
In this policy the government is trying to create an atmosphere that will do well to most
of the bus drivers and conductors by having fixed salaries and other benefits such as inclusion of
13
th
month pay, holiday pay, rest day, overtime pay, nightshift differential, retirement pay,
service incentive leave, maternity, paternity and parental leave. It also covers the inclusion of
Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, Employees Compensation Law, Social Security System (SSS) and
other social welfare benefits. These benefits would lead to a more stable source of income on the
part of the bus drivers and conductors so as to have a fair living that everyone must have
according to the constitution. That Government must do something about the labor policy for the
development of each individual obtaining a contribution for national wealth but not enhanced
individually.