The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) today said it is looking forward to a greater networking with the country's Local Government Units (LGUs) in order to strengthen occupational safety and health (OSH) among the industries operating within their respective areas.

This developed as Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque expressed appreciation to the City Government of Manila, headed by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, for uniting in a resolution aimed at strengthening the implementation of OSH programs in call centers, amidst their role in boosting employment and investment growth in the local economy.

"This kind of unity on the local government sphere is laudable even as it dovetails with our government's efforts to provide jobs opportunities to all Filipinos and strengthen the working conditions, including the safety and health of workers, in all workplaces and worksites."

During a recent regular session presided by Manila Vice Mayor Franciso "Isko Moreno" Domagos, majority of the more than 30 Councilors in Manila's six districts affirmed City Council Resolution No. 163, series of 2008. The pacesetting local government resolution, which was forwarded to the DOLE by Manila City Council secretary Luch R. Gempis, Jr., urged all call centers to comply with the DOLE OSH guidelines in order to "ensure the productivity and growth of the industry, as well as guarantee the safety and well-being of its workers."

In effect, the Manila resolution affirmed the importance of, along with the need to strengthen and integrate further DOLE Circular No. 1, series of 2008 (Policy Guidelines Governing the Occupational Safety and Health of Workers in the Call Center Industry), which requires employers in the call center industry to formulate and implement a suitable OSH program, and the workers to take an active role in education and training, and in developing and implementing joint continuing programs and information campaigns on safety and health. For its part, the DOLE's Occupational Safety and Health Center shall coordinate the provision of training, information and technical assistance at the enterprise level in line with the Zero Accident Program (ZAP), while the Labor Inspectorates of DOLE Regional Offices shall enforce and monitor the provisions of the Circular.

Roque said that the OSH measures, at the same time that these are necessary for the well being of workers, will vitally reinforce the role of the call center industry as a leading source of local employment opportunities, as well as productive investments beneficial to the country's national and local economies. Media reports earlier indicated that, with the call centers at the industry's forefront, the country's Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector generated some 320,000 full-time jobs for Filipino workers, on top of contributing US$4.8 to $5 billion in revenues to the economy, last year.

The Labor Chief, during the recent 2008 DOLE Central Office-Regional Offices (CO-RO) Consultation, emphasized that the Department will intensify networking with the country's Local Government Units on its Core Programs and Projects.

Roque noted that the LGUs are already active partners in the DOLE's year-round thrusts to promote employment opportunities, organize jobs and livelihood fairs, strengthen industrial peace, assist disadvantaged workers, and reintegrate the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

source: Information and Publication Service

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