DOLE hits worst forms of contractualizations
Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Department of Labor and Employment will pursue efforts to stop the worst forms of contractualization in the country.
This, as she issued new administrative orders further solidifying the direction of Project Labor Enforcement and Action Program, or Project LEAP and strengthening DOLE’s existing inspection personnel complement that is undertaking a nationwide inspection effort since August 2.
The new orders, AO Nos. 281-B, 281-C, 281-D, and 281-E all support the order that set into motion Project LEAP, a reform program enforcing the DOLE’s core mandate of labor standards setting and visitorial powers on the protection of workers.
Project LEAP is in line with the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, specifically on the directive to the DOLE to promote the constitutionally protected rights of workers.
Project LEAP aims to protect workers’ rights by maximizing compliance with labor standards, including the minimum wage, Emergency Cost of Living Allowance, 13th month pay, holiday pay, service incentive leave, overtime pay, night-shift differential, Social Security System, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth contributions.
Under AO 281-B, the DOLE’s regional offices will look into the worst forms of contractualization, especially in the agriculture industry, as well as into the validity of alien employment permits and the related special visa for employment generation. This is in addition to the priorities set forth under the earlier AO 281.
The order directs DOLE regional directors, as the chairs of their respective Regional Coordinating Councils, to ensure the termination within 30 days of labor standards cases arising from inspection efforts of Project LEAP. In the process, RCC member agencies are required to assist on the mandatory conciliation proceedings of contested cases.
The order also directs DOLE’s inspectors based in six regions, specifically Regions I, II, IV-B, V, VIII and CAR, to assist the regional offices in the National Capital Region, Region III, and Region IV-A in the inspections.
Under AO No. 281-C , Baldoz authorizes the direct augmentation of the inspection capabilities of DOLE-NCR, RO III, and RO IV-A with a total of 37 DOLE personnel.
Under AO No. 281-D, she directs 61 new inspectors who trained under the Bureau of Working Conditions to proceed with the conduct of inspection activities covering Regions IVA, 4B, 7, 9 and the Cordillera Administrative Region.*
