Discount program on basic commodities for workers launched
In response to the call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to provide non-wage benefits to employees and their families as income extenders, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), launched the “Diskwento: Presyong Pang-Empleyado,” a non-wage benefit project which aims to improve workers’ access to basic consumer products at very affordable prices.
The Project is through the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
According to Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque the Diskwento project aims to ease the burden of high and rising prices of basic consumer products on the employees’ purchasing power and to improve employees’ access to basic and prime commodities through the mobilization of retail outlets selling basic food and non-food consumer items at low, low prices.
Roque said the “Diskwento” project also intends to involve the private sector in delivering affordable basic and prime commodities to employees.
The labor secretary said the provision of a package of non-wage benefits was also in line with Administrative Order No. 232-A issued recently by President Arroyo to further strengthen the clustering of social welfare reforms into a national social welfare program. (PIA/Bohol)
