PALSCON, Other Groups Unite To End “Contractualization,” “ENDO,” “5-5-5”

The Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON), linked up with other groups with the hopes of sending a united voice to end the illegal employment practice of “contractualization” or “End of Contract,” more popularly known as “ENDO” and “5-5-5.”

During its recent General Membership Meeting held in this city, PALSCON invited various employers’ groups and other associations such as the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Makati Business Club (MBC), the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (SEIPI) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), to name a few, for a dialogue on the issue. 

The objective of the historic dialogue between PALSCON and the associations was to unite and find winnable solutions to end “ENDO” and “5-5-5.” Many from the government and labor groups are clamoring for an end to these illegal labor practices that they see as detrimental to the economy and the growth of the Filipino labor force. 

In light of this important meeting, PALSCON already came up with a draft manifesto and provided it to all the groups, who promised to look and review said manifesto. As soon as all issues are thoroughly discussed, PALSCON and the groups will issue a joint statement regarding the result of their discussion.

ECOP President Donald Dee said they welcomed the invitation of PALSCON to dialogue regarding the issue. “We are glad that PALSCON invited us to sit down with them together with other concerned groups and hopefully, we can resolve this together very soon.”

George Barcelon, President of PCCI, for his part, said that they fully support PALSCON and the call to end “ENDO” and “5-5-5”once and for all.

Both acknowledged that PALSCON’s draft manifesto is a good step to have the voice of the service contractors be heard and promised that they will both study its contents.

“Time and again, PALSCON is at the forefront of combating illegal labor practices. ‘Service contracting’ is already a globally accepted labor trend. Our objective is to help educate the public and our Filipino workers and of course the government regarding service contracting and hopefully, we will reach our objective together with our partners here today,” declares Rhoda Caliwara, President of PALSCON.

Caliwara said service contracting cannot be banned since it is already an accepted labor practice with many benefits among major countries such as the United States, China, Japan and in many countries in Europe, and that most workers are satisfied under an “agency” setup. “Agency work is the first to adjust to major market fluctuations, and most of all provides flexibility to corporations,” says Caliwara.

She said in the Philippines, service contracting is allowed under Articles 106 to 109 of the Labor Code. In 2011, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) passed Department Order (DO) 18-A which raised the standards of service contracting to include higher capitalization in order to prevent “labor-only” contracting. The DOLE pegged a minimum capitalization requirement of P3 million for agencies, a registration fee of from a measly P100 to P25,000, and a minimum administrative fee of 10% to prevent cut-throat competition in the industry.

DO 18-A’s stringent requirements, according to Caliwara, also helped PALSCON police its ranks and reduced the number of service contractors from more than 16,000 to only more than 5,000 in 2015 to eliminate the so-called “fly-by-night contractors.” “We hope the government should inspect first these ‘fly-by-night’ agencies rather than the registered contractors who are the ones complying with the law.”

Be informed of the latest issues in ending "ENDO" and "5-5-5". Attend the PALSCON 6th National Forum happening on November 14, 2016 (8am to 5pm) at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, Ortigas Center, Quezon City. Don't be left behind! Limited Slots only!

Register now and be a part of the biggest gathering of Service Contractors. For inquiries, email palscon_6thnationalforum@yahoo.com.

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Acer’s Ultra-Thin-And-Light Notebooks Awarded Japanese Good Design Awards

Acer announces that its latest ultra-thin-and-light notebooks have been honored at the 2016 edition of Japan’s Good Design Award, including both the Acer Swift 7, which is the world’s first[1] notebook to measure less than 1 cm thin and the convertible Acer Spin 7, weighing just 1.2 kg. The abTouchPhone, a touchscreen multimedia IP desk phone, was also awarded for its full range of practical communication features, and also for its simple yet elegantly designed appearance.

Acer’s winning products stood out from over 4,000 entries and were selected over a rigorous five-month screening process involving 76 international jury members. Screenings were held not only in Japan but also in South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Jury’s Evaluation of the Acer Swift 7

“The thinness and functionality of a laptop PC conflict with its operability, but the Acer Swift 7 strikes an appropriate balance between the two elements. The streamlined shape of the PC, which is less than 1 cm thick, makes it look visually thinner than it actually is, and the product generally has a robust yet elaborate image due to its use of cut and molded aluminum alloy as a material. Furthermore, despite its thickness, it provides a favorable touch button, and the use of a large touch panel achieves both a beautiful design and ease of use.”

Jury’s Evaluation of the Acer Spin 7

“Consumers have growing expectations for convertible laptop PCs as smartphones become more common and these convertible laptop PCs are expected to be used on occasions different from those for ordinary laptop PCs, and unlike the latter, the former also needs to meet various needs in terms of structure. The Acer Spin 7 is light and slim, and under these restricted conditions, it uses a rotary touch panel, meeting user needs in various situations through its 14-inch monitor and fan-less design. The case made from an aluminum alloy adds a sense of high quality to the product while ensuring its sturdiness. The Spin 7 boasts of outstanding performance as a hybrid convertible PC.”

Jury’s Evaluation of the abTouchPhone

“As smartphones offer increasingly diverse functions, users are also looking for installed touchphones. Using highly-functional and high-quality communications, this product meets the above-mentioned needs of users while they are busy at work or leading their busy lives. Another characteristic is its simple yet elegantly designed external appearance.”

About the Good Design Award

The Good Design Award is hosted by the Japan Institute for Design Promotion, a public interest incorporated foundation. It’s precursor, the Good Design Selection System (or G Mark System), was founded in 1957 by Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (the current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and has engaged in this field for about 60 years. Submissions come from a wide range of industries, and roughly 1,200 designs are recognized every year.

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Acer Celebrates 40th Birthday in Taipei

Last weekend Acer held a string of events in Taipei to celebrate its 40^thanniversary, which included performances, a forum, and a fun-filled “Acer Family Day” attended by Acer’s five founders (pictured above with CEO Jason Chen).

On Friday, September 23, under a beautiful autumn sky, Acer hosted an evening of performances at Taipei’s Liberty Square. The event saw the attendance of over 10,000 people, including Acer’s management team, alumni, partners, suppliers, and members of the general public. The audience was treated to a number of performances, including one by Taiwan’s world-renowned Cloud Gate Dance Theater.

In between performances, a charity auction took place where many of Acer’s partners and suppliers pledged funds for the purchase and donation of units of Acer CloudProfessor to the “Program the World” initiative, a Taiwan-based program that works to give underprivileged children new opportunities through technology and education.

On the following day, Saturday, September 24, Acer held a forum where Stan Shih, Honorary Chairman, George Huang, Chairman and Jason Chen, President & CEO discussed the future development of Taiwan and the ICT industry with experts from various fields. To cap off the festivities, a special 40^th anniversary ^“Acer Family Day” was held for Acer’s Taiwan employees at Liberty Square, where they enjoyed food, fun, and performances.

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