Diane Hora | iMINDSPH
Manila — House of Representatives Deputy Speaker and Trade Union Congress Party (TUCP) President Raymond Democrito Mendoza has expressed support for the proposed Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Code, encouraging the Bangsamoro Parliament to enact it promptly.
Mendoza lauded the bill, emphasizing its aim to uphold the rights of Bangsamoro workers and establish a progressive labor framework ensuring sustainable and inclusive jobs, justice, and equity and providing job security.
Atty. Rebecca Chato, International Labor Organization's legal consultant,
presented the key points of the 85-page, eight-book Bangsamoro Labor and Employment Code (BLEC) during a public hearing in Manila on February 16.
Under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Bangsamoro government is mandated to uphold fundamental workers' rights, including self-organization and collective bargaining, in accordance with the Constitution and the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Former MOLE Minister and Member of Parliament Romeo Sema, the principal author of the proposed measure, highlighted the urgency of passing the bill promptly due to the absence of the Department of Labor and Employment and the National Labor Relations Commission in the region.
The eight-book BLEC covers various aspects such as pre-employment, employment standards, cultural rights, social welfare, employment relations, labor justice, and transitory and final provisions.
The proposed legislation also advocates anti-child labor policies setting the minimum employment age at 18, from the national standard of 15 under Republic Act 9231.
Committee on Labor and Employment Chair Atty. John Anthony Lim stated that the labor code aims to ensure fair labor practices, promote economic development, and uphold social justice for all workers and employers in the BARMM.
The bill underwent public consultations and hearings after its initial introduction in 2021. Subsequently reintroduced by MP Romeo Sema in 2022, he hopes it will be considered a priority for enactment.
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