The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), led by Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (in yellow), dialogues with Kilusang Mayo Uno, led by its new Chairperson Jerome Adonis, on labor rights and workers’ safety in a meeting held at the DOLE Central Office, Intramuros, Manila.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) held a dialogue with the new leadership of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) at the DOLE Central Office in Intramuros, Manila. The meeting reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to upholding workplace safety, labor rights, and the principles of freedom of association—key pillars of the Marcos, Jr. administration’s agenda for fostering industrial peace and inclusive growth.
Discussions centered on urgent labor issues, including job creation, occupational safety and health (OSH), wage increases, and the fundamental right to organize.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma welcomed the concerns raised by KMU, led by its new Chairperson Jerome Adonis, citing the dialogue as a platform to better understand the issues and identify areas where the DOLE could assist.
On the issue of employment, Secretary Laguesma shared that it shall be convening its tripartite partners to review the implementation of its national labor and employment plans vis-à-vis the emerging challenges to employment. He also mentioned that KMU is welcome to participate in the said discussion.
The Department reported that it is continuously strengthening the inspectorate program to ensure that workers are safe from occupational hazards. According to Bureau of Working Conditions Director Alvin B. Curada, “Our priority in implementing the Labor Inspection program is hazardous workplaces, including those in the agriculture, fishing, construction, and transportation sectors.”
Earlier this May, the Department issued Department Order 252-25, reinforcing OSH compliance among establishments and recognizing emerging work arrangements, such as remote work and the gig economy.
The Department also urged the union to report labor-related cases to DOLE, specifically through its Bureau of Labor Relations, which closely monitors and provides assistance to union workers in pursuit of justice.
OIC-Assistant Secretary Maria Consuelo S. Bacay also thanked the KMU leadership for their active participation in DOLE’s initiatives toward promoting FOA, one of which is the paralegal training program on labor rights and remedies launched in 2024 in cooperation with the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law and the UP Law Center, through its Workers and Employees Program.END/CSDM
