DOLE’s labor inspections

Key in keeping standards

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—With or without labor complaints, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) can get to establishments and conduct labor standard inspections as a delegated authority based on the Secretary’s visitorial and enforcement in administering labor standards in business establishments here.

DOLE Bohol supervising Labor and Employment Officer Fernando Lopez bared this during the recent Kapihan sa PIA a day after Labor Day.

The three approaches in the enforcement of labor guidelines, redound to industrial peace and safer workers, according to Lopez.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA, Lopez explained that with or without any labor malpractice complaint, the agency has three ways to get to the inspect and investigate the complaint, while keeping a healthy relationship among the management, labor and the government.

Lopez, who had over 20 years of experience as labor and employment officer at DOLE 7 said they do technical advisory visits to establishments whit 9 and below workers.

“This visit is a proactive way of explaining and orienting entrepreneurs and their workers about wages, overtime pay, holiday pay and general labor standards, while helping the establishment comply with the regulatory requirements and provide the opportunity to address any issue that may arise in the relations between labor and management,” explains Lopez.

Then, there is the labor inspection, which is the routine inspection that the DOLE conducts as a delegated authority of the secretary.

“Routine labor inspections are key function of labor administration and is responsible for ensuring compliance with labor laws and promoting fair and safe working conditions,” he added.

Here, DOLE labor inspectors and assistant labor inspectors supervise in the enforcement of labor laws, provide information and guidance to the management and the workers on the current situation of the establishment relative to labor standards.

“After the inspection, the DOLE prepares the Notice of Inspection Report which records the findings during the inspection by the labor inspector and covers aspects of work like health and safety of workers, wages, health conditions and rights of workers. The establishment would have 20 days to make the necessary correction so they could not be violative of labor standards,” Lopez explained.

Labor inspections primarily allow the DOLE to enforce labor laws, promote decent workplace, point out deficiencies and provide information and guidance on how to comply with the labor laws.

Finally, DOLE also conducts occupational safety and health (OSH) inspections especially when a worker meets an accident in the workplace.

OSH Inspections are systematic examinations of a workplace to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with work safety regulations, thus prevent accidents, illnesses and ensures safe working environment.

In cases like this, the DOLE labor inspectors should have an inspection authority, and meets with the management to pick out potential hazards, allow the compliance with labor safety standards, talk with workers to gather insights and address issues in workplace conditions and introduce corrective actions, to adapt the environment to new adapted processes. (PIABohol)