At least 120 workers from 83 companies in the province joined the two-day learning session on Social Welfare Benefits held last December 6-7, 2022, at the Ynares Multi-Purpose Hall in Antipolo City, Rizal, facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment through its Rizal Provincial Office (DOLE-RPO).

In this activity, representatives from PhilHealth, Social Security System, Employees Compensation Commission, and PAG-IBIG Fund discussed the updates on their programs which employees may avail from their agencies.

Through this learning session the Department hopes to provide the workers relevant information and help them have a deeper understanding of their rights and welfare benefits. This is to empower the workers so that they themselves know if they are receiving the right benefits from their employers in accordance with the law.

Aside from the mandatory social benefits, DOLE-RPO also tackled the General Labor Standards (GLS) in this activity.

Senior Labor and Employment Officer Joy Angelyn Z. Parabas, one of the labor inspectors in Rizal, raised their concern during the conduct of labor inspection to establishments. Labor inspectors in the province encountered some companies who refused to cooperate with them during the conduct of inspection.

"’Pag may kumatok po sa inyo na galing sa DOLE, o Labor Inspector from Department of Labor [and Employment], huwag ho kayong mag-hesitate na pagbuksan ho kami ng pinto. Ang amin pong goal ay hindi kayo bigyan ng problema, kundi i-assess ang [inyong] compliance sa Labor Standards at masigurong alinsunod ang inyong sistema sa ating Labor Code," Parabas said.

Meanwhile, Sheena Recreo, an employee of JT and Antonio Trading Corporation extends her gratitude to the Department in offering free learning sessions for employees like her.

"Thankful kami kasi may ganitong free na learning session for the updates sa companies. At least nagiging aware 'yung companies ano 'yung do's and don'ts, especially for the wages," Recreo expressed.

by:


FLINT OSRIC T. GOROSPE
Community Facilitator


CHARMAINE D. BAISA
LEO III