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DOLE-National Capital Region Director Alex Avila yesterday announced that the DOLE regional office is supporting the Philippine Association of Local Service Contractors, Inc., also known as PALSCON, in the conduct of the 4th National Forum on 30 May 2014 at the Manila Hotel.

“The PALSCON’s 4th National Forum, on the theme, “Responsible & Professional Service Contracting: Key to Competitive ASEAN Integration”, is a ripe and relevant occasion for service contractors, private recruitment and placement agencies, information technology/business process management companies, chief executive officers, employers, and human resources development practitioners to discuss issues on how businesses can be competitive in the face of the ASEAN economic community integration in 2015,” said Avila in a report to Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.

“The PALSCON is a key ally of the government in the implementation of programs that redound to the welfare and benefit of our workers,” Avila said.

Arturo Guerrero, III, PALSCON president, explained that the PALSCON is glad to organize and host the 4th National Forum which he said offers an opportunity to key stakeholders to participate in wide-ranging discussion about the role of the service sector, particularly contracting and sub-contracting, in helping the Philippines become competitive.

Rafael ‘Raffy’ Chico, PALSCON past president, is the chairman of the 4th National Forum, which will have Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz as keynote speaker. Vice President Jejomar Binay has also been invited to deliver inspirational remarks.

PALSCON immediate past president, Sarah P. Doloraya said the PALSCON has lined up relevant topics for discussion at the 4th National Forum.

These include service contracting opportunities in the ASEAN region, taxation in the ASEAN, ASEAN perspectives on sub-contracting, and promoting decent work in the global arena.

“The PALSCON hosts this 4th National Forum bearing in mind the inevitable development in the ASEAN regional economy,” said Deloraya, who added that the association has also lined up a powerhouse list of international speakers including Greg Chen, Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the Indonesian Outsourcing Association; Sam Haggag, President of the Staffing Association of Malaysia; Christopher Ng, Regional Secretary of UNI Global Union; and Steve Shepherd, Board Member, International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (CIETT).

From the Philippines, the panel of experts speaking at the forum are Dr. Rene Ofreneo of the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR); Edgardo Lacson, President of the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines; Atty. Josephus Jimenez, President of the People Management Association of the Philippines; and Emelino T. Maestro, a tax consultant.

“One of the most important topics in the 4th National Forum is Department Order No. 18-A, the new rules implementing Articles 106 to 109 of the Labor Code, as amended,” said Avila, explaining that among government representatives speaking at the forum are Atty. Catherine Legados-Parado and himself who will speak about decent work.

The PALSCON is the country’s only association of legitimate local service contractors organized primarily to promote employment through legitimate sub-contracting activities. Its goals are geared towards uplifting labor standards in the country.

PALSCON’s goal is to professionalize the service contracting industry in the country. Last year, it has signed with the DOLE a Partnership Agreement and Joint Action Plan on Compliance with Labor Laws and Employment Facilitation which Secretary Baldoz has described will contribute to the realization of the goal of decent and productive work expressed as “tamang tao sa tamang trabaho, sa tamang panahon, sa tamang lugar, sa tamang pamamaraan, at tamang benepisyo”.

Under the agreement, DOLE and PALSCON bind themselves to carry out the following programs and activities under the labor law compliance component of the joint action plan: (1) information dissemination in all regions on compliance with D.O. 18-A; (2) operationalization of the Tripartite Monitoring Team on observance of D.O.18-A; (3) conduct of regular quarterly dialogue on enforcement and compliance with D.O.18-A; (4) information dissemination to all PALSCON members on the issuance of Tripartite Certificate on Compliance with Labor Standards (TCCLS); (5) submission by PALSCON of a list of volunteer-member to go through the TCCLS process; and (6) regular certification process and joint assessment.

On her part, Doloraya said the accord “marks the culmination of our collective persistence, diligence, dedication and, most important of all, commitment in our belief that we would one day see a service contracting sector that is appreciated, credible, and integral in the sustainability of our country’s industries.”

Press release courtesy of the Department of Labor and Employment, 23 May 2014.