Articles, essays, and talks of Rey Lugtu

(Interview with Prof. Reynaldo Lugtu, Jr, by Sam L. Marcelo, Special Features Writer, BusinessWorld, published July 31, 2006) The bundy clock is a throwback from an era that primarily used time spent at the desk as a measurement for an employee's productivity. In those days, working always meant going to the "office" - the physical space that ensured interaction between management and the rank-and-file. Working in the same environment allowed supervisors to swoop in unexpectedly and literally read over someone's shoulder to see if a report was being done correctly. being in the same place also made it easier to instill a sense of belonging and company loyalty, and employees could mingle at the proverbial water dispenser, swap ideas, or indulge in tales from the rumor mill. While wireless connectivity does not automatically mean that employees will never darken their office's doorstep, it does mean flexible hours and less opportunities for "bonding with cowork...

(Published in the BusinessWorld under the View from taft column, July 27, 2006) In the recent 95th International Labor Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the Philippines through then Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, urged the international community to redefine the meaning of work. She cited that work has been traditionally defined as an activity for which one was paid and that which was done inside national boundaries, effectively excluding OFW’s as well as cooks, maids, and other mundane tasks. Perhaps work needs to be redefined to account for the shifts that are taking place that shape its very meaning. Indeed, technological change, globalization, and shifts in demographics are affecting patterns and nature of work in developed as well as developing countries. Advances in digital automation technology will replace more routine work involving processing of information or transactions with individuals. Already we are seeing this trend in the banking sector where Internet banking t...