DOLE: 500 employers pay below minimum

CEBU, Philippines – About 500 business establishments in the Metro Cebu have been found violating the minimum wage law.

The Department of Labor and Employment has already inspected 2,200 establishments in Cebu City and other areas within Metro Cebu. Out of those establishments inspected, about 500 of them are not paying their workers the P285 minimum wage per day.

DOLE-7 director Elias Cayanong said, violators have been ordered to comply with the minimum wage law. Cayanong warned that violators will be fined.

According to Cayanong, there were also some employers who were very quick to implement the new wage order. He admitted that there are several others who have just ignored the warning.

He explained that ignoring DOLE's order to comply with the minimum wage law would be disadvantageous for them because they are risking themselves to suffer double penalties.

"Pananglit nga imbis og makabayad ra unta sila og dos mil aw mahimo na hinoon nga kwatro mil," he said.

Labor inspectors have intensified their inspection to various establishments because they will no longer be allowed to inspect business firms starting December 1.

"Kun mag-inspection ta anang mga adlawa kadudahan ta nga nanaygon, nangayo og pinaskohan," Cayanong said.

He encouraged the workers to complain against their employers if they are receiving salaries below the minimum.

Some workers however opted not to complain for fear of losing their jobs, especially those who are working in various establishments along Colon Street. (FREEMAN)