DOLE: Most companies in CV violate labor laws

CEBU, Philippines - Most business establishments inspected by the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas were found to be non-compliant of the labor laws.

DOLE-7 director Exequiel Sarcauga said that of the 5,418 establishments assessed by them since January to November only 500 passed the inspection and were issued certificate of compliance.

Most of the establishments failed and were given time to comply before they will be issued certificates.

“The rest found to have problems and that is why we give them time to comply with the requirements before the issuance of COC,” Sarcauga said in a press conference.

Sarcauga said that the common problems of business establishments range from general labor standards, engaging and contracting of employees, compliance on labor relations, among others.

There are about 40,000 business establishments registered with DOLE-7 only 42 labor laws compliance officers are doing the inspection.

“I know slowly by slowly we can assess all of the establishments because in every labor law compliance officer they assess 120 establishments,” Sarcauga said, adding that if an establishment still fails to comply the requirements within a given time frame, the agency will call for a mandatory conference with any company representative.

Sarcauga explained that from regulatory-based assessment, DOLE preferred to developmental-based, which means business companies will go for voluntary compliance of the necessary requirements.

DOLE prioritizes more on establishments with greater workforce compared to small establishments because these are easier to handle.

“But for those unionized companies, it is the union that will take care of the problem and bring up the concern to us,” Sarcauga said.

DOLE-7 officials, however, said that 70 to 75 percent of the business establishments in the region are complying with the minimum wage, benefits, and working conditions of work place.

Meanwhile, DOLE is celebrating its 81st anniversary through a week-long activities starting today until December 9.

The celebration carries the theme “Higit pa sa Tagumpay at Reporma, ang DOLE mas Makabuluhan at mas Nadarama.”

DOLE is also set to award at least 200 companies who are compliant with the labor laws.

Simultaneous jobs fair will be held on December 6 at the Abella National School campus with 3,759 local vacant job positions and at the Insular Square in Barangay Basak, Mandaue City with 1,396 local vacant job positions and 4,392 overseas vacant job positions.

On December 7, another job fair will be held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol with 1,400 local vacant job positions are up for grab. (FREEMAN)