DOLE ensures MEs comply labor laws

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment-7 has recently launched its Technical and Advisory Visit (TAV) in a bid to guide and assist the micro-establishments to become compliant with the labor laws.

DOLE-7 started the rollout of its TAV in the different provinces of Central Visayas with the Negros Oriental Field Office (NOFO) and the Tri-City Field Office – covering the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu- kick starting the initiative.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Lilia A. Estillore, in a statement, said that this is in line with the strategic directions of DOLE, as they now delve into the provision of a just, inexpensive and expeditious correction of noted violations of establishments and secure their compliance with labor standards through the TAV.

Under the TAV set-up are micro-establishments or those that employ 1-9 employees.

Estillore also underscores the move of the Department of not subjecting the micro-establishments to inspection right away but to guide them first towards compliance.

The labor regional head said they are now promoting a developmental approach among micro-establishments to ensure that they understand the rules and regulations that they have to abide by, be made aware of their accountabilities and responsibilities as employers and observe and adhere to labor laws voluntarily.

For the year, DOLE-7 will conduct the TAV among more or less than 9,000 micro-establishments all over the region.

Through the TAV, Estillore hopes they can foster a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws among these micro- establishments in Central Visayas.

During the TAV, the labor inspectors or the assistant labor inspectors as representatives of the DOLE Secretary shall provide micro-establishments with labor education focusing on the General Labor Standards, Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS), Child and Family Welfare Program, Productivity Toolbox, and other DOLE policies and programs.

Estillore said that right after the conduct of the labor education, their labor inspectors or assistant labor inspectors will assess whether or not the participating micro-establishments have compliance gaps based on the prescribed checklist.

When gaps or deficiencies are noted, she said, employers need not be worried because they will be assisted in coming up with an action plan and they will also be given time to comply.

Estillore said that micro-establishments with compliance gaps will be required to accomplish the action plan indicating the interventions and further technical assistance needed.

“Establishments will be given 3 months from the date of receipt of the action plan to correct the noted non-compliances,” she added.

She further said that inspection among said establishments, will only happen due to unjustifiable failure to attend the TAV session despite receipt of two invitations; failure to accomplish the TAV checklist after receipt of two notifications, and failure to prepare an action plan. — (FREEMAN)