DOLE-7 exec advises group to abide by law

CEBU, Philippines —  The top official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7 has advised a group of contractors and sub-contractors to never start on the wrong foot and to begin things auspiciously by doing things right even from the start.

“Sa simula pa lang, dapat gawin na kung anong tama. Contractors, sub-contractors particularly manpower agencies should be able to adhere to what the law requires. If these things are being abided by before any type of engagement commences, then rest assured that you will not have any problem with the DOLE when the time comes that you are subjected to our inspection,” said DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome O. Siaton.

Siaton, who addressed the officers and members of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service Contractors (PALSCON-Cebu), who paid her a visit, highlighted the essence of Department Order No. 174, which ensures the job protection and security of tenure of workers hired under contracting or subcontracting arrangements.

To refrain themselves from getting into trouble, contractors and subcontractors should be cautious and remind themselves of the different elements of labor only contracting (LOC), which include the following:

• The contractor or subcontractor does not have substantial capital; or

• The contractor or subcontractor does not have investments in the form of tools, equipment, machineries, supervision, work premises, among others; and

• The contractor’s or subcontractor’s employees recruited and placed are performing activities which are directly related to the main business operation of the principal; or

• The contractor or subcontractor does not exercise the right to control over the performance of the work of the employee.

Siaton further advised PALSCON to fully define their vision and mission as a group including their objectives and goals especially for the year so that they would be able to entice more contractors and sub- contractors to join them.

At present, only about 20 percent of the more than 100 DOLE-registered contractors and sub-contractors are members of PALSCON-Cebu.

“Strategic planning is aptly needed to actually give meaning of the existence of the group and for the rest of the contractors and sub-contractors in Central Visayas to see what the group really stands for,” she added.

Networking among the DOLE’s social partners, she explained, is highly essential especially since there is a need for the Department to keep up with a lot of new trends, issuances and pronouncements and quickly communicate the same to as many clients as possible.

“Networking isn’t merely the exchange of information and it’s certainly not about begging for favors. It is about establishing and nurturing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships where protection of workers and sound and peaceful labor-management relations are being given premium always,” Siaton said in a statement. — GAN (FREEMAN)