QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The labor department renewed its commitment to support the Formal Labor and Migrant Workers Sector (FLMWS) In support of the government’s initiative on social reform and poverty alleviation.

The commitment was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding led by Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary and Lead Convenor Lope B. Santos III, and FLMWS Sectoral Representative Edwin A. Bustillos.

The renewed commitment includes the continuing provision of one million pesos to fund the activities of FLMWS, subject to the documentary requirements of the programs to be accessed in the labor department, and in accordance with the accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

Laguesma said the partnership would help fulfill the current government’s socio-economic agenda.

“This strengthening of our partnership is a significant initiative for our collective goal to meet President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s eight-point socio-economic agenda that includes inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and quality and decent jobs for Filipino workers,” said Laguesma.

FLMWS is one of the 14 basic sectors identified under the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, which serves as the coordinating body for the implementation of social reform and poverty alleviation agenda of the government for the workers in the formal sector and the migrant workers.

As a partner agency of FLMWS, the labor department is mandated under the NAPC and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Joint Memorandum Circular 001, series of 2004, to help fund the sector’s activities.

The FLMWS may also avail of the programs and services offered by the labor department through its attached agencies, such as the Employees’ Compensation Commission, National Wages and Productivity Commission, and Occupational Safety and Health Center.

Other programs that the sector may avail include the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or Kabuhayan offered by the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns and the Workers Organization Development Program (WODP) of the Bureau of Labor Relations. (dole/pia-ncr)