Law compliance benefits Phl workers, labor sector

CEBU, Philippines - Employers who are voluntarily complying with the general labor standards and occupational safety and health regulations would not only benefit the workers but also the labor sector in general.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the government and the industry must work with each other to increase the awareness on labor laws and OSH standards.

The Department of Labor and Employment granted around 336 companies in Central Visayas the Certificates of Compliance during the simultaneous Industry-wide and Ecozone-wide Joint Assessment last Friday.

Baldoz said it is a good development to note the willingness of businesses to go through the DOLE’s assessment on new labor laws compliance system.

In her speech, the secretary stressed the government’s mandate to produce more jobs and the business sector’s role to generate employment. The labor laws should also recognize the rights of the Filipino workers.

The department have employed additional labor laws compliance officers  to ensure that all target establishments for this year have been visited to check compliance of the laws.

The regional DOLE has hired 372 LLCOs for its new approach in inspecting establishments. These officers replaced the former labor inspectors. 

The International Labor Organization’s directive is that every labor officer must have a maximum of 120 companies/employers to inspect.

The Labor Department claimed it has not yet achieved the ideal ratio of 1:120 that the ILO has recommended on labor laws compliance.

DOLE-7 Director II Lilia Estillore said the approach is now more focused on voluntary compliance rather than the old strategy of enforcing the labor laws.

In an interview, she cited some of the common complaints of non-compliance of labor mandates which include under payment and failure to pay during holiday and overtime days.

The official also mentioned subcontracting as one of the problems. Subcontractors, who carry out work for a company as part of a larger project, normally do undercutting which results to the non-compliance of minimum wage law.

Industry best practices

In a separate interview, Nicon Fameronag, director and spokesperson of Labor Communications Office, said the assessment is aimed at developing specific best practices in the industry and improving the culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws.

“Ang purpose talaga natin is mapatupad yung labor laws compliance,” he said. “So talagang matitiyak ng mga manggagawa natin na tumutupad sa labor laws ang employers.”

He said the welfare and well-being of the workforce must be protected to create best health and safety practices and to drive best attitudes of the talent pool.

The private sector particularly the employers must provide a workplace and benefits that conform to the industry and government standards and mandates.

Former President Philip Tan of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry told reporters it is only right that employers should adhere to the basic labor mandates such as the minimum wage law, overtime and holiday pay, among others.

“I think and approach karon sa DOLE dili ba the normal police approach…kay raid man to kaniadto. So karon, atong gihangyo pud atong employers to be ppart of the program -- to comply with the requirements,” said Tan, who is also one of the industry representatives to the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board-7.

The businessman noted workers who have experienced unfair practices from their erring employers would normally not demand for a case, saying workers usually fear of losing the job.

He, however, said most labor-related cases filed in court usually favor the workers over the management since these involve the so-called “social justice”.  (FREEMAN)