Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Eli San Fernando visited the Department of Labor and Employment office to submit several labor-related proposals.

Among the submitted proposals are a wage hike, the abolition of the provincial wage rate system, strengthening the security of tenure, and other measures aimed at expanding employee protection.

San Fernando welcomed the commitment of Labor Chief Francis Tolentino to establish Labor Attorney’s Office.

“Ang isa sa kinomit ni Secretary Tolentino ay yung pagbubuo ng Labor Attorney’s Office, parang counterpart siya ng PAO. We are excited dito at yung pakikipag-partner ni Secretary Tolentino sa other stakeholders para mapalakas yung assistance sa mga manggagawa. Kasi alam naman natin na sa sobrang daming kaso na kinakaharap ng mga manggagawa, walang kapasidad ang mga manggagawa na mag-hire o mag-avail ng mga lawyers,” he said

According to DOLE, they can utilize the existing partnerships with the Public Attorney’s Office and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in addressing labor-related concerns.

“The DOLE chief also highlighted the Department’s existing partnerships, including its collaboration with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to establish the Labor Attorney’s Office and its recent partnership with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) to engage students in labor inspection initiatives,” according to the agency

San Fernando added that they understand DOLE needs to carefully review the submitted documents before any formal approvals.

“Naintindihan namin yung prosesong kailangang pagdaanan na kailangang aralin ng Department of Labor and Employment. That is why we are giving that space for the secretary to study the papers that we have submitted and later on ay makapag-feedback sa amin sa concrete na stance ng Department of Labor and Employment under his administration,” he said

In response, Secretary Tolentino assured that the agency would maintain transparency not only with workers but also with the employers.

“Gagawin natin ‘to na ano mas transparent, mas maganda yung ugnayan. Hindi lang sa manggagawa kung hindi sa employers sector, sa management.” he said

With reports from Mia Alonzo