Mediation important in solving labor rows

Cebu - Representatives of different cooperatives from all over the country have recognized the role of mediation in solving minor labor disputes.

During the second day of the National Cooperative Coop Conciliator-Mediator’s conference here in Cebu City yesterday, Lecira Juarez, chairperson of the Cooperative Development Authority, said that cooperatives can help minimize discord at the community level through facilitating the meeting between conflicting parties to settle their grievances. National Conciliation and Mediation Board regional director Edmundo Mirasol emphasized yesterday the significance of settling disagreements to create mutual understanding and productive relations among laborers as mandated by the constitution.

Mirasol said that the presence of a third neutral party can prevent hostility and can heighten respect for the basic freedom of workers and mutual trust between labor and management.

He likewise said that conciliation and mediation are the most widely used types of alternative dispute resolution procedure because they’re non-adversarial and preventive in nature.

CDA administrator Segfredo Buagas discussed the issues on mediator’s standard behavior and other arising concerns within the mediation program that was followed by a workshop among the different coop representatives. — Bentley Naire Luyong (THE FREEMAN)