DOLE suspends labor inspections

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has suspended the routine labor inspections starting today.

“There will be no routine labor inspection of establishments for one and a half months,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz disclosed.

She has issued Administrative Order 406 directing all DOLE regional directors to suspend all labor inspection activities in their areas of jurisdiction, including the conduct of Training and Advisory Visits (TAVs) and Self-Assessment (SA) activities.

Baldoz said investigation of labor standards complaints and urgent inspections due to compelling circumstances may be done, but only with her approval.

DOLE traditionally suspends routine labor inspections during the holiday season to enable labor inspectors, now called labor law compliance officers, to dispose of pending labor standards cases and prepare for the implementation of the DOLE’s labor enforcement program for the following year.

Inspections are also suspended to prevent labor inspectors from abusing their power in order to solicit gifts.

Routine inspection activities will resume on Jan. 15 next year, Baldoz said.