Labor alliance pushes for new panel to regulate POGOs

Vignettes of the office space inside an offshore gaming company in Metro Manila. Philstar file photo

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Labor alliance Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is urging government to create a coordinating body to manage and regulate the offshore gambling sector in the Philippines as it foresees more Chinese workers coming to the country after Cambodia banned online gaming.

According to a Radio Free Asia Report, around 120,000 Chinese nationals had left Cambodia by early September because of the ban.

With this, TUCP said it is anticipating the migration of the displaced offshore gaming operators and their Chinese workers to the Philippines. It said the country remains attractive to Chinese online operators and workers though the government suspended issuing new licenses to prospective Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators

"While we are assessing the POGO's overall social implications and weigh the comprehensive benefits of this online gambling industry in our economy by putting on hold issuance of new operating licenses, (we) would like to propose the creation of a POGO coordinating body that has supervision and control of the industry for the benefit of the country," TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said.

Mendoza warned that despite the profits the POGO industry is bringing to the office and residential business, additional government revenue, construction, transport, retail and food, local employment, "there is rising incidents such as kidnapping, homicide, misconduct, illegal recruitment, human trafficking, illegal online gambling operations, prostitution and use and trafficking of illegal drugs."

TUCP said "government agencies have limited authority and they cease to function on area that is beyond their mandate. The dis-coordination between and among these agencies might cause government to entirely lose control of the industry."

Mendoza sad the proposed coordinating body should be composed of different concerned government agencies along with representatives from labor and business sectors and attached to the Office of the President. - Artemio Dumlao (Philstar.com)

ALU-TUCP urges McDonald’s to hire PWDs, senior citizens in stores nationwide

The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) on Thursday urged McDonald’s Philippines to expand its hiring program for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to all stores nationwide.

“Expanding the policy to other McDonald’s branches nationwide will provide hope to other PWDs and senior citizens who are often ignored by other local government unit and businesses. The policy extension will discourage discrimination and raise the business practice standards and compel other firms to do the same,” ALU-TUCP national executive vice president Gerard Seno said in a statement Thursday.

On Wednesday, McDonald’s Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement with the city government of Manila to employ senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in at least 40 McDonald’s stores in the city.

During the signing ceremony, McDonald’s Philippines executive vice president and managing director Margot Torres told reporters that the company has already hired over 30 elderlies and PWDs in different stores all over the country.

“We will work closely with PESO (Public Employment Service Office) to be able to do this outside after the city of Manila. Yes, there are plans to expand kasi meron na naman … its already there,” Torres said.

ALU-TUCP praised McDonald’s move to hire senior citizens and PWDs in its stores in Manila.

“Hiring senior citizens, persons with disabilities … but fit to work and highly productive individuals to work in McDonalds branches in Manila is commendable company policy,” Seno said.

“The agreement will attract more customers to the restaurant, provide income for the employees, make Manila city vibrant again and restores people’s trust in the city government,” he added. — By TED CORDERO , VDS, GMA News

TUCP: Review Datem Inc. accreditation

File photo / Inquirer

The workers group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Tuesday urged the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Contractor Accreditation Board to review the license and accreditation issued to Datem Inc. due to alleged deaths of construction workers while working at high-rise projects in Metro Manila.

TUCP president and TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza called on the PCAB and the DOLE to step in and review the license and permit they issued to the firm.

“They must look into the very serious reports of construction workers falling to their deaths not reported to the police and labor officials. They must look at various serious violations of general labor standards and construction occupational safety and health protocols and act accordingly,” said Mendoza.

Mendoza said he filed a resolution at the House of Representatives to conduct a legislative inquiry into the workplace deaths incidents with the aim of reviewing the policies on enforcement and monitoring of labor and occupational safety and health laws, and the accreditation of licenses issued to contractors and construction firms.

“The DOLE and PCAB must also closely look at reported rigged construction and substitution of materials with substandard items in some of Datem projects. If this is true, many of Datem high rise condominiums projects is at risk due to substandard construction materials used. The government authorities must act on this very serious matter,” Mendoza said.

In issuing accreditation and contractor’s license, PCAB must ensure contractor firms must comply with workers’ safety and construction building standards.

The DOLE, on other hand, should conduct special inspection and issue a work stoppage order with reports of workplace accidents resulting to deaths and serious injuries.

According to the workers, there were at least three incidents of Datem Inc. project sites accidents this year where workers’ deaths were not brought to the notice of the Philippine National Police, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and even to barangay unit which has jurisdiction where the mishap happened. - by Vito Barcelo

TUCP wants secret deals investigated on substandard building materials

File photo / Manila Times

The labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is calling for congressional investigation over allegations of substituting building materials with substandard and cheaper items in the construction of condominiums and other buildings in Metro Manila.

This puts into doubt the structural integrity of all projects undertaken by a firm particularly in terms of the safety of its building tenants during earthquakes and disasters.

TUCP president and party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza wants a congressional probe over alleged secret work site deaths, sub-standard construction buildings and other serious violations of general labor and occupational safety and health standards committed by private construction contractor firm Datem Incorporated.

Mendoza said the party-list was looking at reviewing the compliance and enforcement system surrounding the country’s basic Construction Occupational Safety and Health program required by law in every construction project.

The inquiry will also look into helping strengthen the Republic Act 4566, also known as the Contractor’s License Law in ensuring only qualified and reliable contractors are allowed to undertake construction activity in the country with the safety of the public in mind, Mendoza said.

“After hearing serious testimonies and first-hand accounts from construction workers themselves, I have filed a resolution seeking investigation in aid of legislation on alleged incidents of workplace deaths of construction workers kept secret and unreported to the police and to the labor inspectors,” Mendoza said.

According to the workers, there were at least three incidents of Datem Inc. project sites accidents this year where workers’ deaths were not brought to the notice of the Philippine National Police, Department of Labor and Employment, and even to barangay unit which has jurisdiction where the mishap happened.

Mendoza also called on the government’s Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board to exercise their oversight function and find out whether Datem Inc. conforms to the rules and regulations in granting the firm with the accreditation and contractor’s license.

Union members of the Samahan ng mga Construction Workers sa Datem-Associated Labor Unions have alleged rampant violations of general labor standards and non-compliance to construction occupational safety and health standards.

They sought the help of TUCP a few days ago over several instances of deaths and injuries following workplace mishaps happened in several of its projects sites in Metro Manila not reported either to the PNP and the DOLE which has jurisdiction over the location of the incident.

Workers also accused Datem Inc. management of inhumane conditions at their sleeping and resting barracks,purchase of personal protective equipment and boarding fees at the expense of workers, union busting, non-payment of separation pay, illegal dismissal, diminution of benefits, unauthorized salary deductions,forcing them to work even though they are sick.

They were allegedly forced to render overtime work causing high blood pressure and over fatigue.

“Construction workers are very important force in the process of nation-building yet they are the most vulnerable to various forms of abuse and more likely than to die, debilitated and suffer disease from accidents and exposure to hazardous elements and tedious long hours at work compared to other workers. It is unfair and unjust if they are further oppressed like this. It is murder to the highest degree if their deaths were not reported to government authorities,” Mendoza said. - Vito Barcelo