OLONGAPO CITY - Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines (HHICP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding that effectively enrolls the Korean shipbuilding and construction giant to the DOLE's "Big Brother, Small Brother" Program, otherwise known as the Kapatiran WISE-TAV, the program that encourages big companies (Big Brother) to practice corporate social responsibility by coaching small companies (Small Brother) in eventually becoming fully compliant with labor laws and occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.
Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz signed the MOU on behalf of the DOLE, while President Ahn Jin Kyu signed on behalf of HHICP.
DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante and Bureau of Working Conditions Director Brenda Villafuerte witnessed the signing held at the sprawling HHICP shipbuilding facility, the most modern and the largest in Southeast Asia, in Brgy. Cawag, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, in Zambales.
The MOU effectively covers 16 HHICP contractors, subcontractors, and services providers and involves 22,000 workers.
The Kapatiran WISE-TAV Para sa Mas Ligtas, Malusog, at Produktibong Manggagawa, is a flagship public-partnership program of the DOLE, and is anchored on the ILO's Work Improvement in Small Enterprises, whose action-oriented approach has long proven to link productivity and product quality to safer and better working conditions.
Baldoz, who delivered a message during the signing, hailed the HHIPC’s for enrollment in the program, as it is a big step towards instilling a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards in the company.
"I consider this occasion very important and significant. This is a very good starting point of our partnership towards productivity and compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards, given that the HHICP has faced a number of concerns in the past few years," she said.
She explained that the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is committed to create and nurture an environment conducive to sustainable businesses that creates decent jobs.
Baldoz announced during the signing ceremony that she is assigning no less than Regional Director Agravante as her focal person at the HHICP’s Kapatiran WISE TAV
"Director Agravante knows what that means, so you can call him directly because he can mobilize other offices of the DOLE under him in the region to assist you," the labor and employment chief said.
On his part, Mr. Ahn Jin Kyu said that as "Big Brother, HHICP is most willing to share its safety and health standards with its contractors, subcontractors, and services providers."
This is the second memorandum of understanding that the DOLE has signed this year under the Kapatiran WISE TAV. The first was signed last January between DOLE Region 3 and Yokohama Philippines.
To date, 79 "Big Brothers" and 804 "Small Brothers" are enrolled under the program, effectively covering 177,000 workers, who benefit from the MOU in terms of better labor conditions and safer and healthier work places.
Baldoz reiterated that its collaboration with private companies under the Kapatiran WISE TAV is meaningful for inclusive growth and the promotion of productivity and competitiveness.
“Through the Kapatiran program, the DOLE considers private sector establishments as partners in ensuring voluntary compliance to labor laws and safety and health standards. We know they play a positive and developmental role in enhancing the welfare and protection of our workers and in promoting productivity and competitiveness and sound and harmonious labor-management relations,” Baldoz emphasized. (DOLE LCO)
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