Dole creates office that will provide free legal aid to workers

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Thursday announced the creation of a labor attorney’s office (LAO) that will provide free legal assistance to workers.

The department cited the emerging concerns of those who are part of the gig economy and digital labor platforms.

Under Department Order No. 258-26 issued by Dole, the agency established the LAO to serve as a “unified mechanism” to aid and coordinate with workers who need legal assistance, counseling, conciliation, mediation, advisory and referral services.

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Its primary function will be to assist indigent and qualified workers involved in labor proceedings before the National Labor Relations Commission, Single Entry Approach, voluntary arbitration proceedings, and related quasi-judicial or administrative processes.

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The new office will take over the functions of Dole’s public assistance and complaints units and will be under the direct supervision and control of the Office of the Secretary for Labor and Employment.

Dole said in the order that “there is a need to consolidate and streamline” the provision of free legal assistance, conciliation support, worker’s education, and legal representation mechanisms of the agency under a unified framework.

It also noted the “emerging concerns” of workers in the gig economy or those employed through digital labor platforms, which underscores the need for accessible legal and administrative support.

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In a statement, Dole said a gig economy unit will be established under the LAO, which will provide legal counseling, mediation assistance, and workers’ rights orientation programs for freelancers, remote workers, and those employed in digital labor platforms, among others.

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The LAO will also open labor justice clinics that will offer supervised labor rights orientation programs, documentation assistance, and alternative dispute resolution services, through partnerships with accredited law schools from state universities and colleges as well as private universities. /apl

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