Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Saturday emphasized the need to enhance the competitiveness of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in the country.

In the face of challenges, we must keep a balance. We must ensure full protection of the workers, as well as to give due consideration to the rights of enterprises to reasonable returns to expansion and growth

He said conducting productivity training programs and creating provisions for technical assistance in designing productivity-based incentive schemes would help foster competitiveness.

“We are of the view that the country’s economy largely depends on the sustainability of its macro, small, and medium enterprises. We must continue to work together in enhancing the competitiveness of our MSMEs and realize its maximum potential as key employment generators,” Bello said.

Aside from enhancing MSME, Bello underscored the importance of ensuring harmonious relations between workers and employers, which he said is the key to achieving a sustainable industrial climate. He explained that a sustainable industrial climate is the requisite for economic growth and development.

“In the face of challenges, we must keep a balance. We must ensure full protection of the workers, as well as to give due consideration to the rights of enterprises to reasonable returns to expansion and growth,” Bello said.

He also said the maintenance of industrial peace is a shared responsibility that should be accomplished to comply with existing laws and ethical practices towards productivity improvement and enterprises expansion.

As of June 2019, about 3,409 out of 3,506 or 97.2 percent of companies with Labor Management Cooperation are enjoying a mutually beneficial atmosphere between its workers and management through the government’s strengthened workplace relations and enhancement programs.