DOLE hotline gets more calls

CEBU, Philippines - More workers have patronized the hotline call services of the Department of Labor and Employment to report work-related problems pertaining to general labor standards and occupational safety and health.

DOLE-7 director Cyril Ticao said workers are now becoming more assertive of their rights. Ticao, however, said the 24/7 hotline call services also entertain concerns from the management.

From January to June 2017, designated hotline assistance officers (HAOs) received at least 719 calls on concerns ranging from computation of night differential, overtime pay, and holiday rules.

The record shows that most concerns were related to the computation of holiday pay and compliance with the minimum wage law. There were also concerns raised on separation pay, contractualization, and single entry approach.

Ticao said they have noticed that more workers are reporting this year compared to last year.

The hotline call service was launched by DOLE in September 2016 upon the instruction of Secretary Silvestre Bello III. The labor secretary directed all regional offices to provide the public with faster and more responsive call services.

Ticao said that aside from calls from the workers, they also received numerous calls from human resource managers clarifying issues on salary computation as well as company policies including the extent of the so-called management prerogative.

“We make sure that actions are taken on concerns received by our hotline officers. Proper endorsement of issues concerning other agencies is also done,” he said. —/FPL (FREEMAN)