The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Family Welfare Program (FWP) is a workplace-based initiative that aims to improve the quality of life for Filipino workers and their families. It addresses ten areas, including reproductive health and responsible parenthood; education/gender equality; spirituality or value formation; income generation/livelihood/cooperative; medical health care; nutrition; environment protection, hygiene and sanitation; sports and leisure; housing and transportation. FWP seeks to encourage plant-level activities that contribute to the goals of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).
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It also works to integrate family planning/family welfare awareness into labor and management relations. Through need analysis using a checklist of priority activities, the FWP provides needed support from government agencies and NGOs. This helps ensure that workers have access to resources that can improve their quality of life.
We grow in different directions as a family but our roots stay the same, just like the branches of a tree. According to the Philippines’ Civil Code, families are fundamental social institutions that the government cherishes and protects. The Philippine Constitution of 1987 stated in Article II, Section 12, that the “State perceives the holiness of family life and might secure and fortify the family as an essential self-sufficient social establishment.” A family’s overall well-being as well as the well-being of the individual members of the family are referred to as family welfare.
Contents
What is FWP (Family Welfare Program)?
The Family Welfare Program (FWP) is a corporate-supported advocacy program that aims to improve workers’ quality of life by implementing a family-centered work environment. It introduces the idea of family welfare to organizations, instills a consciousness of family planning or family welfare among labor and management, and serves as an inspiration for enhancing workplace productivity and improving worker-management relations.
The Family Welfare Program (FWP) has been proven to reduce absenteeism, tardiness, job turnover and improve industrial relations. Improved quality of life leads to increased productivity in the workplace. The Philippine government is dedicated to ensuring the success of this important program for Filipino workers and their families.
By establishing a Family Welfare Committee at the workplace, coordinating with DOLE Regional Offices for orientation on FWP, and enlisting assistance from non-government organizations, businesses are making strides towards improving the quality of life for Filipino workers and their families through this important initiative. Together, we can create a productive and supportive workplace environment.
Objectives
- Educate labor and management on the importance of family planning and the welfare of families as a means of enhancing workplace productivity and strengthening relations between employees and management;
- Encourage plant-level initiatives that will help the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP) achieve its objectives; and
- Make the family welfare component a top priority for the Family Welfare Committee’s consideration and implementation.
FWP Ten (10) Dimensions
FWP focuses on ten 10 dimensions consisting of:
1. Education / Gender Equality
The following are the priority activities of the Education / Gender Equality dimension:
- Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (RA 7877)
- Posting/dissemination of RA 7877
- Creating a Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI)
- Company policy against SH
- Orientation on the provisions of RA 7877
- Gender Sensitivity Training (GST)
- Solo Parents Welfare Act (RA 8972)
- Maternity Leave (RA 8282)
- Paternity Leave (Ra 8187)
- Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD Act – RA 8980)
- Establishment of workplace-based ECCD services
- Ensuring a workplace conducive to pregnant/lactating mothers such as:
- Provision of facilities for expressing and refrigerating breast milk
- Provision of daily breastfeeding breaks during working hours
- Offering flexible work hours for lactating mothers
- Conduct breastfeeding education encouraging co-workers and management
2. Environment Protection, Hygiene, and Sanitation
The following are the priority activities of the Environment Protection, Hygiene, and Sanitation dimension:
- Education on the proper garbage disposal
- Free or subsidized portable water and sewerage system
- Information dissemination on the safe and healthful work environment
- Pest control
- Promotion of 5S
- Tree planting / Reforestation
3. Housing
The following are the priority activities of the Housing dimension:
- Barangay infrastructure development assistance
- Development of springs and digging deep wells
- Free or subsidized house/sleeping quarters particularly for the night shift workers
- Housing loan with no or minimal interest
- Sale of company scrap materials at minimal prices to workers who would like to repair their houses or construct fences for piggery and poultry
4. Income Generation / Livelihood / Cooperative
The following are the priority activities of the Income Generation / Livelihood / Cooperative dimension:
- Community outreach program
- Involvement in DOLE programs and employment or livelihood services such as WEED/PRESEED
- Livelihood services under the SOLO Welfare Act
- Promotion of self-reliant projects such as:
- Basket Weaving
- Cooperatives
- Food preservations
- Gardening
- Sale of scrap materials
- Sari-sari stores
- Waste material processing
5. Medical Health Care
The following are the priority activities of the Medical Health Care dimension:
- Available and free services of a first-aider, nurse, physician, and dentist in the workplace for workers and their dependents
- Advocacy on HIV or AIDS programs, Drug-free Workplace Policies, and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Programs (RA 9165, DO 53-03)
- Capability in building or education opportunities for medical staff
- Health education programs such as primary health care counseling in the workplace
6. Nutrition
The following are the priority activities of the Nutrition dimension:
- Inclusive of the nutrition-related program as non-wage benefits in CBAs or in company policies or programs of companies without unions
- Observance of the Nutrition Month of July as per Section 7, P.D. 491 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines
- Use of iodized salt in compliance with RA 8177 or the ASIN Law
7. Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood
The following are the priority activities of the Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood dimension:
- Capability-building activities for labor and management leaders, members of Family Welfare Committees, plant clinic staff (nurses, midwives, doctors), and peer educators.
- Conduct information sessions on the following:
- Family planning methods
- Importance of birth spacing
- Informed choice
- Respect for life
- Responsible parenthood
- Conduct information, and sessions on incentive bonus schemes to encourage family planning among workers.
- Orientation or seminar on the ten (10) elements of Reproductive Health including the Reproductive Health hazard in the workplace.
- Provide free family planning services to employees and their spouses, which shall include, but not be limited to, the application or use of contraceptive pills and intrauterine devices (Art. 134).
8. Spirituality or Value Formation
The following are the priority activities of the Spirituality or Value Formation dimension:
- Family day
- Religious activities – Bible study sessions, sponsoring first communion, and choir practice
9. Sports and Leisure
The following are the priority activities of the Sports and Leisure dimension:
- Company outings
- Sports tournaments or competitions
- Other recreational activities, which are income generating
10. Transportation
The following are the priority activities of the Transportation dimension:
- Free or subsidized services
- Shuttle services for workers
Employers Responsibility
The following are the employer’s responsibilities:
- An establishment with more than 200 employees in any locality with the help of the DOLE Regional Offices must form a Family Welfare Committee (FWC). Those with fewer than 200 employees are “encouraged” to do the same.
- Employers are urged to give FWC the support, resources, and assistance it needs to carry out capacity-building activities for labor and management leaders, FWC committee members, clinic staff, and peer educators.
Video: Family Welfare Importance Promotion
Check out this video clip which explains the importance of having a family welfare committee in the workplace:
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any further questions regarding “DOLE Family Welfare Program (FWP)” see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.
1. What is DOLE FWP?
The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Family Welfare Program (FWP) was established to promote worker and family welfare as a means of enhancing workplace productivity and worker-management relations. A corporate-backed advocacy program seeks to improve workers’ quality of life by implementing a family-friendly workplace culture.
2. What are the benefits of DOLE FWP?
A better quality of life for the families of the employees will result from a family welfare program at work, which will lower absenteeism, tardiness, and job turnover. Additionally, the program might greatly enhance employee relations.
3. What is Family Welfare Committee (FWC)
The Family Welfare Committee (FWC) was created to oversee the Family Welfare Program’s (FWP) implementation in companies.
4. What members make up the family welfare committee?
A family welfare committee is made up of two or three management representatives chosen by the company’s top management, two or three labor representatives involved in the union’s welfare, education, and training programs, a representative from the plant clinic (preferably a doctor or head nurse), and a health and safety officer.
5. What are the duties and responsibilities of the welfare committee?
Its duties and responsibilities are to enhance staff working conditions, boost office efficiency overall, raise employee morale, and instill a friendly professional environment.
Summary
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) actively advocates its Family Welfare Program (FWP), which also addresses the welfare of family members, as part of its mission to protect workers and their welfare. The main idea behind FWP is to promote welfare awareness and family planning as a means of increasing workplace productivity and fostering better worker-management relationships.