PRA seeks stronger footholD in int ’ L ...
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shared some of the common issues that local retailers face , including labor and employment matters , greening the retail industry , among others .
FAPRA Chairman Formoso on the other hand presented the Federation ’ s activities and programs . He expressed FAPRA ’ s interest to co-promote events and activities of the FAPRA and FIRAE to its members so
PRA leads in keeping track of gov ’ t bills concerning retail
The Philippine Retailers Association ( PRA ), led by its president Atty . Paul A . Santos , continues to be in the forefront of issues and concerns affecting the retail sector through participation in meetings and deliberations of various bills filed under the Senate and Congress , which directly impact the retail industry .
PRA President Santos , together with PAGASA President and PRA active member Steven Cua have represented the retail industry in various meetings called by the Senate and Congress --this is to ensure that the interests and concerns of the retail sector are well-represented and explained , as well as ensure that the sentiments and concerns of the sector are considered by the government agencies concerned prior to approval of such bills .
Currently , the major bills which impact the retailers include :
• House Bills No . 989 , 1353 and 3267 - which seek to regulate the posting of termination of employees from a company in newspapers , social media , and other public information venues . It aims to uphold the employees ’ reputation and dignity while protecting the rights of companies against corporate harm by disgruntled employees .
• House Bills No . 4446 and 4328 - which seeks to amend the Labor Code of the
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Cover Story 1ST QUARTER , 2017
they can get exclusive rates and privileges in participating in these activities as well as enlarging the coverage of their events and giving the members more opportunities to learn from one another .
Both PRA officers expressed optimism that thru collaboration with FIRAE , they hope to promote networking , learning and education , cooperation and information exchange , and organization and marketing promotion activities to further expand PRA ’ s and the FAPRA ’ s exposure in the international retail scene , outside Asia Pacific .
Philippines and establish reforms and efficient system in the regulation of collective bargaining agreement of management and employees .
• House Bills No . 3577 , 983 , 1966 , 2655 , 3130 , 3579 , 3801 , 4181 , 4183 , 4542 , 4626 , and 330 ( Plastic Products Regulation Act ) - will require commercial establishments to provide biodegradable plastic products to their consumers , while promoting and selling locally-made bayong , buri and other reusable bags that are made of organic and compostable materials . It also calls on retailers to provide in-store recovery program that will give customers an opportunity to return their used plastic products to the commercial establishments from which the plastic products originated to be recycled or disposed through industrial treatment facilities .
• Senate Bills / Amendments on Taxation - which seek to lower / restructure the Personal Income Tax ( PIT ), Personal and additional exemptions , and estate tax as part of the government ’ s Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion ( TRAIN ). These consolidated SBs aim to come up with a simpler , fairer , and more efficient for all , while also raising resources needed to invest in infrastructure and people . Further , this aims to lessen the overall tax burden of the poor and the middle class .
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In a related development , the PRA presented its position on Senate Bills No . 117 , 174 , 217 , 302 , 329 , 1061 and
This is also the first time that the PRA attended the NRF ’ s The Big Show . This is the NRF ’ s banner event and which was attended by over 35 , 000 attendees from 95 countries worldwide , including 500 exhibitors and 300 speakers .
The NRF is the world ’ s largest retail trade association , representing discount and department stores , home goods and specialty stores , Main Street merchants , grocers , wholesalers , chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries .
1116 which seek to outlaw the practice of contractualization and further regulate business of service-only contracting .
In its position paper , the PRA urged the Senate Committee on Labor , Human Resources and Employment to carefully study the above-mentioned bills to ensure that these proposals truly balance legitimate business interests with the need to protect workers from insecure employment conditions .
The PRA cited that the above-mentioned bills “ will likely prevent Philippine retailers from quickly responding to changing economic and business conditions as they see fit . These new clauses , if implemented , will ... add more weight to the regulatory burden Philippine businesses already carry . At the same time , these new rules may also stifle innovation and discourage Philippine entrepreneurs from implementing new business models in the future , hindering job creation .”
Non-Expiry of Gift Checks
The PRA also reacted to House Bill 3091 which seeks to ban the imposition of expiry dates on gift checks by commercial establishments .
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