Roland de la Cruz, National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines president, said Friday, June 4, that Republic Act 11551, also known as the Labor Education Act will boost workers protection against unscrupulous employers.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act 11551, on May 27 that will provide protection for workers through education, de la Cruz, who is also a labor representative to the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, said.
The law recognizes the need for the state to put in place a mechanism to educate future workers, employers, and entrepreneurs on their rights and responsibilities in promoting harmony in the workplace and social progress in society, de la Cruz said.
The implementing rules and regulations will be developed by the Commission on Higher Education, and the necessary modules of instructions and other relevant materials will be developed by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, he said.
The law also mentioned its inclusion in the Technical and Vocational Education Training Curriculum, he added.
“For many years Filipino job-seekers and workers who have no formal knowledge or education on their basic workers’ rights have been manipulated and coerced by unscrupulous employers into entering employment arrangements and contracts which are patently illegal and inhumane,” he said.
“Now, future workers and job seekers will be able to determine at plain view any attempt to circumvent labor laws and workers’ rights by these undesirable employers. As a member of the NTIPC, I look forward to working on the IRR as well as in the drafting of the modules.” de la Cruz said.*