DOLE lecture on worker's rights in University of Baguio

Saturday, 15 August 2009 15:39 Fidelis Angela Tan

The Diamond Lecture Series , which was launched late last year as part of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE's) 75th anniversary, continued August 14 at the University of Baguio (UB), once again following the theme ‘Balik-Tanaw, Bagong Pananaw.' JOBSolutely DOLE, the accompanying job fair, took place outside the UB gymnasium where the talks continued throughout the day. Students from various universities around Baguio were invited to the event with contingents coming from the University of the Philippines Baguio, International Christian College, Benguet State University, the University of the Cordilleras and others. Representatives from various companies, government institutions, labor unions and human resources groups were also in attendance.
This leg of the talks, the 5th of 7, focused on "The Filipino Worker and the Constitution" with Atty. Roland Perez giving the welcoming remarks by talking about social justice as the ultimate goal of labor laws. Atty. Perez was speaking on behalf of Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista who was unable to attend due to other commitments.

DOLE Undersecretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz followed with a message for the students in attendance, telling them "The world of work now is different from the world of work 75 years ago."

"Challenge yourself to be very passionate to bring out excellence in your job," said Baldoz. "We advise students who are preparing to be future workers to engage themselves in a continuing life of learning."

The day's keynote speaker was Professor Cesario Azucena of the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations, and the Ateneo de Manila School of Law.

Azucena, who described himself as a "student of labor law for a third of a century," repeatedly lifted sections from the 1987 Constitution to show that the "highest law in the land" provided for social justice and protection of the rights of workers.

He underscored the need for workers to be aware of their rights as laborers, saying "80% [of employees] don't know their rights as workers." He added that labor laws should not only be studied by law students but by everyone who will become a worker.

Azucena also lead the open forum at the end of the morning session, fielding most of the questions from students about worker's rights and the Labor Code. Joining him on the panel were representatives from the labor sector, Mr. Johnny dela Cruz, President of the Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Atty. Milton L. Balagtey of the Regional Tripartite Wage Board.

The afternoon session was devoted to career talks aimed at the graduating students.

These included ‘Preparing Yourself for the Competitive Job Market' with Elsa Pangilinan, president of the Baguio-Benguet section of the People Managers Association of the Philippines; ‘Power Resume and Successful Job Interviews' by Texas Instrument HR Consultant Rey Orille; ‘Entrepreneurship and Business Management' by Michael del Rosario, the owner of several businesses; and ‘Business Process Outsourcing - Philippine Sunshine Industry' with Irene Roa, HR Director of Sitel Philippines .

Photo taken by Fidelis Tan. Licensed under Creative Commons.

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