Republic Act No. 10395, or “An Act Strengthening Tripartism” was signed into law by President Benigno Aquino, Jr. in July 2012.
It declared tripartism in labor relations as a state policy, allowing employers and workers to become part of policy-making bodies of the government.
Tripartism, in Philippine labor laws, refers to the representation of workers and employers groups in decision- and policy- making bodies of government. Through tripartism, workers and employers on the one hand, representing their respective interests, and the government, on the other hand, representing the interest of the public, help shape labor, social, and economic policies and program of the government.
The law mandates the establishment of a National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) headed by the secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Composed of representatives from the government, employers and workers, the NTIPC is tasked to monitor full implementation and compliance of international conventions, declarations, codes of conduct and social accords.
The council is also responsible for formulating recommendations to the President and Congress on labor, economic and social concerns and advising DOLE on implementation of policies and legislation affecting labor and employment.
It is also mandated to serve as communication channel and mechanism for joint programs enhancing labor and management relations.
The council also serves as a clearing house that would it make easier to craft new policies with the labor, management and government discussing and agreeing on its implementation.
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