DOLE: Rizal Memorial Stadium contractor may face admin raps over accident

MANILA, Philippines — The labor department on Tuesday said it may file administrative cases against a Rizal Memorial Stadium contractor if it’s found lacking safety standards when a worker was injured after falling off a construction site recently.

“Administrative lang ang pwede namin i-parusa diyan. [We can only file administrative sanctions against them],” Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a press conference.

On Monday, a construction worker sustained leg injuries after falling from the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila during heavy rainfall. The Rizal Memorial Stadium is one of the venues for this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

READ: Construction worker injured in Rizal Memorial Stadium accident

Bello explained that it is DOLE’s mandate to check if contractors provided safety vests and equipment for its workers.

“It is part of our mandate to see that [they] comply with the occupational and safety standards kung may nagtatrabaho diyan kailangan may safety equipment sila [if they are working, they need safety equipment],” Bello said.

DOLE Undersecretary Ana Dione said the labor department will assist the injured worker and extend medical assistance.

Dione also noted that DOLE inspectors will help investigate the construction area to determine who is responsible for the accident.

Aside from the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Dione said they also sent other DOLE inspectors to check if the Occupational Safety and Health Standards are being followed in other venues for the 30th SEA Games.

Edited by KGA