DOLE to inspect commercial establishments

MANILA, Philippines - To ensure that more workers are getting the rightful wages, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now preparing to inspect over 35,000 commercial establishments nationwide.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she has ordered the inspection program intensified to maximize employers’ compliance with various labor standards.

Baldoz said the intensified inspection program is mandated under Administrative Order No. 281, which provides for the implementation of the Project Labor Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP).

“This is part of DOLE’s share in the reform process of the new administration that aims to protect workers’ rights through the attainment of a culture of compliance with labor laws among establishments nationwide,” she said.

Baldoz said the one-year inspection program, which will have two phases with the first one starting on Aug. 2, would cover all establishments employing 10 to 199 workers nationwide.

Project LEAP has identified security and manpower agencies, subcontractors, cooperatives, manufacturing firms, restaurants and fast-food outlets as priority establishments for inspection.

Baldoz said DOLE hopes to inspect 35,680 establishments for the project’s duration, with each of the department’s 223 labor and technical safety inspectors in the 16 regional offices tasked to inspect 10 establishments per week.

To cover the target number of establishments, only the core labor standards and compliance with social welfare legislation will be the subject of inspection.

These core labor standards are compliance with the minimum wage, ECOLA, 13th month pay, holiday pay, service incentive leave, overtime pay, night-shift differential, and Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund and PhilHealth coverage.

Meanwhile, various trade unions and employers’ organizations have expressed their full support for the Aquino administration’s new labor and employment programs.

Among the groups that pledged their support were the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc.