Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 213)
A legitimate labor organization is an organization, association, or union of laborers duly registered and permitted to operate by the Department of Labor, governed by a constitution and by-laws that are not repugnant or inconsistent with the laws of the Philippines.
The Department of Labor, specifically the Secretary of Labor, has the authority to register and permit labor organizations to operate.
They have the right to collective bargaining with employers to seek better working and living conditions, fair wages, shorter working hours, and to promote the material, social, and moral well-being of their members.
If the organization's object is to undermine or destroy the constituted government or to violate any law or laws of the Philippines, its registration and permission to operate can be refused.
An application to register and operate must be filed with the Secretary of Labor, accompanied by a copy of the organization's constitution and by-laws.
They must keep a book and records containing a list of members in alphabetical order, minutes of meetings, and submit an annual report on fiscal and other activities to the Secretary of Labor within 30 days after the anniversary of the permit's date of issue.
Failure to comply is sufficient cause for the revocation of the permit issued to the labor organization.
They have the power to inquire into the activities of any registered legitimate labor organization and examine its books and records to determine compliance or non-compliance with the law.
They shall be guilty of a felony and punished by imprisonment of not exceeding one year, or a fine not exceeding one thousand pesos, or both, at the discretion of the court.