Fewer labor abuses seen under new system

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz: New labor law compliance system. FILE PHOTO/Jay Morales/Malacañang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expects the number of labor abuses to diminish with the implementation of a new labor law compliance system.

“To protect workers’ wages and benefits, 600 labor law compliance officers and inspectors will implement the new labor law compliance system, using a mix of developmental and regulatory approaches,” said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, in a speech she delivered at the 102nd session of the International Labor Conference (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland recently.

Baldoz said the new system, which takes effect in August, would better ensure the protection of workers, particularly those in micro, small, medium enterprises (SMES).

“With technical assistance from the ILO, the system features real-time data capture and transmittal from the field using an electronic checklist stored in mobile devices and gadgets,” Baldoz explained.

“With an additional budget of P286 million, the new system covers the joint assessment of compliance of general labor standards, safety and health, child labor, freedom of association, collective bargaining and maritime labor regulations consistent with the ILO Maritime Labor Convention, 2006,” she added.—Tina G. Santos