CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has renewed its agreement on voluntary code of good practices (VCGP) with the Tripartite Council of Outsourcing in Pampanga (TCOP).
This is in line with the DOLE’s efforts to foster and maintain the industrial peace among companies in Central Luzon through its advocacy on good practices on voluntary compliance to labor standards and occupational safety and health standards.
DOLE Central Luzon Director Zenaida Angara-Campita along with TCOP officials and members signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday at the Clark Polytechnic grounds on Wednesday.
“Seven years ago on this very same venue, we signed into a memorandum of understanding on the first voluntary code of good practices partnership with the TCOP, then known as the Business Process Outsourcing and Information Communications Technology to primarily look into various labor issues and concerns faced by its industry,” Campita said.
Since then, she said, the landscape of the outsourcing industry has evolved as more challenges were raised as far as industrial relations and working conditions are concerned.
“It is timely that we revisit, renew, and strengthen our partnership once again towards boosting harmonious relationships within the industry,” she said.
Some 40 labor and management representatives of 20 TCOP-member locators of the Clark Freeport Zone were present during the MOU signing.
The voluntary code of good practices covers industry practices on training and education, salaries and benefits, occupational safety and health, productivity, hiring and firing, conciliation/mediation, and maintenance of industrial peace.
Radette Abigail Cruz, vice chairman for labor of the newly-elected TCOP officials, expressed gratitude for the cooperation and support of its members on its renewed partnership with the labor agency.
“In light with our renewed commitment through the signing of our VCGP, this is the right time for us to bring back social partnership with the DOLE in addressing brewing issues and concerns face by our growing indsutry,” Cruz said. (Ric Sapnu/PNA)
