CEBU, Philippines – A Talisay City councilor is pushing a measure that seeks to compel business establishments to give preference to locals in their hiring of employees.
In a proposed ordinance, Councilor Aldin Diaz wants to institutionalize that at least 40 percent of a Talisay firm’s workforce should be composed of city residents.
The draft ordinance covers hotels, contractors and other commercial establishments.
Diaz, chairman of the Committee on Labor, Trade and Industry, said the employment of local laborers and professionals is affected by the influx of jobseekers from different parts of the country.
With the measure in place, Diaz said the city’s legitimate households are assured of equitable distribution of opportunities.
Diaz added the proposal will also help increase revenues, lessen impacts brought about by urbanization and guarantee availability of jobs.
Under Section 4 of the proposed ordinance, the employment quotas shall be strictly observed as follows: 60 percent of unskilled labor and/or manpower for project proponents and/or contractors of civil and structural Works and 40 percent of the skilled labor and/or manpower locally.
For hotel, resort and business establishment proprietors and/or operators, they shall employ at least 40 percent of their respective personnel and/or staff from the local applicants.
It is required of all project proponents, contractors, hotel or resort or business establishment proprietors and/or operators to secure a certification from the designated Public Employment Service Office personnel certifying to that provisions of the ordinance have been complied with.
According to Diaz, the certification will be part of the requisites that must be complied with and submitted before a building permit or a mayor’s permit to operate business, as the case may be, shall be issued.
In the event that the number of local applicants is not adequate to meet the employment needs of the project proponents, contractors, hotels, resorts, and/or business establishments, certification to this effect shall likewise be secured from the designated PESO personnel.
The designated PESO personnel shall conduct on-the-spot inventory and inspection to determine compliance.
Any contractors, hotels, resorts and/or business establishments hiring labor, manpower, personnel and staff in contravention of any provisions of the ordinance shall be slapped with a warning and a fine of P2,500 for the first offense.
Continued defiance of notices of compliance shall be punishable by cancellation of business permit and/or building permit after the third notice has been officially served.