The Civil Service Commission is being pressed to back the filing of indirect contempt charges against the board of regents of the Technological University of the Philippines sitting on a 90-day suspension order against the school president in a sexual harassment case. Read the rest of this entry »

Few of his legislative peers can match his guts and dynamism in fulfilling his duties and delivering results.  He is also in a class of his own in being articulate, accessible and visible to the public. For these sterling qualities, Senator Richard Gordon is widely regarded as an exceptional public servant. But these past several months, he has found himself at the receiving end of intrigues and smear campaign. Undeniably, his detractors are at work to destroy his character and credibility. Read the rest of this entry »

How is the financial and economic crisis affecting occupational health and safety standards?

First of all, let’s remember that even before the current crisis, globalization had already brought about major changes to workplaces worldwide. Privatization, industrial restructuring, new forms of work organization, the break-up of larger state enterprises and the proliferation of small enterprises – to name just a few of these changes – directly affected employment, industrial relations and, consequently, occupational safety and health (OSH) standards. Now the global financial crisis has become a factor of concern for the health and safety of workers around the world. On the one hand, workers have to deal with the fear and stress of losing their jobs. At the same time, downsizing production, changing working-time patterns and/or increasing job demands simply to stay in business may have a negative impact. In some cases, we might expect a reduction in resources allocated to safety and health. Enforcement agencies, labour inspectorates and occupational safety and health services may also have to operate with limited resources. The result could be a sharp rise in work accidents, injuries and fatalities and work-related stress. Read the rest of this entry »

The Malaysian government has eased restrictions on foreign investors wanting to buy into the country’s financial sector. Read the rest of this entry »

The EU has extended sanctions against Burma and renewed calls for the release of political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Read the rest of this entry »

In anticipation of an easing of the global financial crisis, the country’s tourism industry is hoping to be ready to play a major role as the economy of various countries starts to pick up from hibernation and tourists begin to spend for travel and vacation. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines – Although still well-capitalized, the Philippine banking industry continued to experience a steady decline in its capital adequacy, with levels going down across all banking groups particularly in the rural and cooperative banking industry. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines – A supervisor of a burger chain was stabbed dead Saturday by two workers she suspended for repeatedly reporting to work late in Marikina City. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines – The local chapter of London-based human rights watchdog Amnesty International staged a rally in Quezon City and Manila yesterday to urge the government to correct the “desperate situation” of witness protection in the Philippines. Read the rest of this entry »

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government has vowed to implement proper waste disposal measures in the use of nuclear energy. Read the rest of this entry »