DOLE suspends 6 Atienza Ferries vessel operations

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has suspended the operations of six vessels of Atienza Interisland Ferries, following a fire on the MV June Aster that killed 77 people.

The DOLE National Capital Region issued the work stoppage order to motor vessels Star San Carlos, September Tulips, December Poinsettia, October Lavender, May Lilies and November Cattleya – all docked at the Navotas Fish Port.

The work stoppage order was issued after a DOLE inspection showed multiple occupational safety and health violations committed by the company in the operation of its vessels.

“So work must stop at the Atienza shipping company,” Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said.

He said the shipping firm “shall pay the wages of all affected employees during the period covered by the order.”

Tolentino noted that the issuance of the order “resulted from the violations attributable to the employer.”

In a hearing held at the DOLE central office on Oct. 8, the company was found to be lacking workplace safety programs, emergency response measures, safety committees and trained safety officers.

Earlier, Tolentino said a work stoppage order would be issued if the company would be found to be not complying with safety requirements.

The accident occurred on Sept. 9 off Palawan.