DOLE-7 issues stoppage order against another parking project

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment-7 has issued another stoppage order against a parking project in Cebu City.

DOLE-7, in a statement, said the workers doing the elevated exterior project at the parking area owned by the Grand Convention Center located along Archbishop Reyes Street, Cebu City were not wearing personal protective equipment thus posing imminent danger.

According to the report of Labor Laws Compliance Officer Primo Guarin to DOLE-7 acting regional director Exequiel Sarcauga, the workers were not using full body harnesses, hard hats, and safety shoes.

Sarcauga said that Grand Convention Center and Hi-Speed Construction, Incorporated, the general contractor, did not have a safety officer and a fulltime first-aider on duty.

He said both parties could not also present the third party inspection of the two heavy equipment they were using.

Sarcauga also said that according to the report, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board registration/license, the DOLE approved Construction Safety and Health Program and the TESDA certification of their skilled welders, electricians, and heavy equipment operators were not presented during the investigation.

Sarcauga said that aside from such violations, some of the workers were reportedly underpaid and some were also not paid for holidays and special holiday premiums.

Earlier, a work stoppage order was also issued by DOLE-7 to Cebu Christian Gospel Center due to imminent danger noted in their grand parking project, also located along Archbishop Reyes Street, Cebu City.  (FREEMAN)