Local
Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Kaipat: Delay gives Labor more time for transition

By Ferdie de la Torre
Reporter

With the 180-day delay in implementing the federalization law, there is lesser urgency for any transition related to labor matters, according to Department of Labor Deputy Secretary Cinta Kaipat

In her progress report on the implementation of Public Law 15-108 or the new reform labor law, Kaipat said Labor can now await the outcome of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial's federalization lawsuit without employers and workers having to adjust their affairs in the interim.

“However, we have been meeting regularly with the federal authorities since last fall to explain exactly what we are doing, how we are making decisions, and why our procedures are working effectively,” she said.

Kaipat said she believes Labor has good lines of communication and that the federal authorities have much better and more current information about Labor activities than has been the case in past years.

With respect to the federal stimulus issue, Kaipat said they believe that the Labor Employment Services and Enforcement sections may qualify for grants under the federal stimulus funding.

“We are working on three proposals, and we expect to have them submitted shortly,” Kaipat said.