DOLE EMPOWERS HOTEL EMPLOYEES THROUGH LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES IN LAUREL, BATANGAS

More than fifty employees participated in the Labor and Employment Education Services (LEES) conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) IV-A Batangas Provincial Office at the Twin Lakes Hotel in Laurel, Batangas.

The sessions were conducted for two batches of employees to accommodate the participants and ensure meaningful engagement throughout the activity, which forms part of DOLE’s continuing efforts to promote awareness among workers and management on labor standards, workplace rights, and occupational safety and health.

During the sessions, Ms. Ann Jelyn Natividad, Senior Labor and Employment Officer, discussed the Safe Spaces Act, providing participants with important information on preventing and addressing gender-based sexual harassment and promoting a safe and respectful workplace.

Meanwhile, Ms. Maricel Villanueva, Labor and Employment Officer III, discussed Occupational Safety and Health for Hotels, highlighting the importance of maintaining safe working conditions and preventing workplace accidents and hazards in the hospitality industry.

The participants actively engaged during the lecture sessions and open forum, wherein some participants raised clarifications on certain circumstances that they encounter as part of the hotel industry, such as those involving guests and clients on a day-to-day basis.

Ms. Villanueva and Ms. Natividad shared salient features of the laws concerning Occupational Safety and Health and the Safe Spaces Act. (Photo by: April Rose Magpantay/DOLE BPO)

Ms. Maria Erica Cabugao of the food and beverage department shared that she was able to grasp new learning on her rights as an employee and, at the same time, matters related to safety.

Ms. Cabugao actively participated during the learning sessions. (Photo by: April Rose Magpantay/DOLE BPO)

“Sa speakers naman thank you very much po for giving as the knowledge and the wisdom at tsaka po yung opportunity na malaman namin at mailagay niyo po sa aming kalooban at kaisipan na if there’s anything happens wrong, meron kaming malalapitan at tsaka you always there for us…Napakagandang way ito para ma-enlighten yung mga staff natin, yung mga workmates, yung mga tao sa paligid natin na may mga bagay tayong dapat alam na at tsaka hindi alam na dapat nilang gawin. Kailangan nilang  maging very careful sa mga sinasabi nila [at] sa mga in-a-act nila kasi hindi lahat ng bagay or hindi lahat ng sinasabi ng bibig nila is okay sa kapwa mo, pwedeng makasakit na tayo ng iba at tsaka magkaroon na ng effect sa kanila para hindi sila maging productive sa trabaho nila,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mark Dennis Vicente, an employee of the engineering department, underscored the importance of learning additional information on safety.

Mr. Vicente shared his insights during the learning session on safety. (Photo by: April Rose Magpantay/DOLE BPO)

The conduct of LEES at Twin Lakes Hotel underscores DOLE Batangas’ commitment to continuously educate and empower workers and employers through relevant labor and employment information.

“Ang maitutulong po sa akin ay yung improvement pagdating sa safety, mahirap na po masugatan maaapektuhan po ang trabaho namin.Marami pong salamat sa mga natutunan namin sa inyo DOLE, sa HR namin [at sa mga] napupulot naming aral dito sa programa niyo po,” Mr. Vicente shared.

These initiatives are part of the Department’s continuing efforts pursuant to the directives of DOLE Secretary Francis N. Tolentino to strengthen worker protection and promote decent work in all workplaces.

Through sustained labor education and meaningful engagement, DOLE Batangas continues to work alongside workers and employers in building workplaces that are free from hazards, full of respect, and compliant with labor laws and standards.