DOLE completes inspection of 428 establishments
Some 428 establishments in Western Visayas have been visited by the labor inspectors of the Department of Labor and Employment VI (DOLE VI) through their Inspection-Blitz project, as of the end of August.
The Inspection-Blitz project is a part of the Labor Standards Enforcement Framework of the DOLE that aims to ensure greater efficiency and speed in the inspection of establishments and immediate concern of violence and compliance to the minimum wage and other core labor standards. The project will be implemented until 2009 beginning with the first phase last July 2 until November 30, 2007.
DOLE VI Labor Standards Enforcement Chief Salome Siaton said of the 428 establishments visited in the region since the start of the inspection, 201 are from the province of Iloilo, 175 in Negros Occidental, 42 in Aklan and 10 in Antique.
"We started the inspection in the province of Capiz, first week of September and we will have the inspection in Guimaras within this month also," said Siaton.
Siaton said the thirteen DOLE VI inspectors visited security and manpower agencies, stores in malls, restaurant and fastfood enterprises, cooperatives, construction sites, manufacturing and highly hazardous establishments which are the priorities in the first phase of the project.
Siaton noted that most of the violations committed by the establishments visited in the region are underpayment of minimum wage and the 13th month pay, non-payment of holiday pay, non-payment of service incentive leaves and the non-coverage of employees to SSS, Philhealth and Pag-IBIG.
After the inspection, according to Siazon a notice of inspection result will be sent to the establishments for immediate corrections of violations.
"Establishments are also given the chance to question the findings within 5 days from receipt but if there are no question or no correction made, a summon will be sent for a hearing," said Siaton.
The government is working hard to attain and maintain a business-friendly environment and pleased with investors' interest in capitalizing in the country's economic gains. Continuing on the back of economic reforms, the government is confident that the economic momentum will be sustained to meet its aggressive targets. (PIA)