TARLAC CITY, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has cited the Luisita Industrial Park as the first labor laws compliant economic zone in the country.
DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz recently led the unveiling of the marker at the gate of the economic zone with the inscription “Labor Laws Compliant Eco-zone.”
The unveiling ceremony was witnessed by officials from the DOLE and Luisita Industrial Park, workers’ representatives, and other guests.
Baldoz said the move is part of the agency’s continuing effort to foster a culture of voluntary compliance with all labor laws.
She said it is the directive of President Benigno Aquino III to the DOLE to ensure that all labor laws that provides protection and benefits to workers are implemented and carried out.
“This is part of our reform program, the new Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS). The fact that Luisita Industrial Park is located in the President’s home province makes this marker-unveiling event doubly significant,” she said.
The Luisita Realty Corp., the owner of the ecozone, has also been found compliant and was issued a Certificate of Compliance on General Labor Standards (GLS) and Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS).
The DOLE chief congratulated the management and workers of the eco-zone and of the locator-firms.
“I congratulate you for this milestone. This marker that we unveiled today is testimony to your commitment to voluntarily comply with all labor laws, which is good for business. My sincere hope is that other economic zones and their locator-companies will realize the beneficence of compliance and follow fast your lead,” she said.
The Luisita Industrial Park has nine locator-firms, five of which are registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), while four are registered with the Luisita Industrial Park.
The nine companies employ a total of 9,167 workers.