DOLE stops parking construction works

CEBU, Philippines - As part of its intensified campaign on safety and health at workplaces, the Department of Labor and Employment-7 issued a work stoppage order to Cebu Christian Gospel Center, owner of the Grand Parking Project, located at Archbishop Reyes Street, Cebu City.

DOLE, in a statement, said the stoppage order also implicated Stand Firm Construction Incorporated, the general contractor of the parking project.

The statement said that in plain view, it was observed that the workers at the structure doing elevated works such as welding/hot works and painting were not wearing proper protective equipment.

DOLE-7 acting director Exequiel Sarcauga said that the workers did not also use full body harnesses and wear hard hats, uniform, and safety shoes.

Aside from the imminent danger observed in plain view, DOLE’s assigned Labor Laws Compliance Officer (LLCO) also noted more violations under Occupational Safety and Health Standards.

Sarcauga said their agency found out that the establishment does not have a certified safety officer and a certified fulltime first-aider on duty. He further said that the establishment failed to present a third party inspection of its use of two heavy equipment. Its skilled welders, electricians, and heavy equipment operators, Sarcauga further said, are not National Certification II (NC II) certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Apart from the OSHS deficiencies noted, violations on the General Labor Standards were also found out – underpayment of wages; non-payment of holiday pay, overtime pay, premium pay for special day, service incentive leave, 13th month pay; and non-coverage and remittance on SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. — (FREEMAN)