Demonstration guidelines

To prevent violent crackdowns during labor disputes at the country’s exclusive economic zones, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has signed a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said in an interview the MOA will ensure the implementation of tripartite guidelines on how police and security details from private companies will engage workers during a demonstration in exclusive economic zones.

“This is a manifesto of the commitment of DoLE and the PNP on ensuring the rights of workers will be upheld in accordance with the joint DoLE-PNP-PEZA guidelines, which was earlier signed,” Baldoz said.

Under the guidelines, workers in exclusive economic zones will only be allowed to hold demonstrations in designated freedom parks or “strike areas.”

The police and company security must exercise maximum tolerance, while observing and securing protestors in strike areas, where they will be banned from carrying any lethal firearms.

DoLE will form a technical working committee (TWC), composed by representatives from DoLE, PEZA, and PNP, to ensure the provisions of the guidelines are carried out.

Baldoz said DoLE is finalizing the draft of a similar MOA with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

She said the MOAs aim to raise the country’s compliance with the ratified convention of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on the worker’s freedom of association and right to organize.

“This will improve the Philippine’s adherence to international labor standards and address the lingering issues on the freedom of association as indentified by the ILO High Level Mission to the Philippines in 2009,” Baldoz said.

By SAMUEL MEDENILLA

mb.com.ph

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