TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) relaunched the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council of Tarlac to address labor market challenges in the province.

It was attended by a total of 72 management and labor representatives from nine industry tripartite councils including manufacturing, hospital, construction, manpower, and hotel and restaurant.

DOLE Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio said council members were convened to proactively and collectively respond and act on the issues faced by their industry partners. 

“We made this council, a one umbrella involving all sectors, so that we can hear from your end what the government should do to the issues and concerns that you need to ventilate or air. Your outputs are our inputs to policy-making,” Panlilio stressed. 

The regional head assured that the department is open to the recommendations of the members to improve their situation in the labor market. 

“I know that most of you, if not all, experience perennial problems on hiring, retention, and of course, job mismatch. [DOLE] is all ears to the solutions that [you] can bring to the table,” she noted. 

DOLE is in the process of revisiting and amending several department orders in a bid to adapt to certain changes. 

Meanwhile, District Tripartite Council- Central Azucarera de Tarlac Representative Buena Timbol emphasized that tripartism nurtures the harmony between the government and industry workers. 

“Tripartism in the sugar industry crafted a mechanism whereby the government, the sugar planters, millers, and workers maintain good relationships and improve communication,” Timbol said. 

The tripartite council paved the way for an increase in cash bonuses, and maternity and sugar worker’s death benefits from P2,000 to P8,000 and P7,000 to P14,000, respectively. (CLJD/TJBM-PIA 3)