Complaints mount vs BPO, construction sector on non-compliance to health protocols

File photo of DOLE building

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has received complaints on the supposed non-compliance to health protocols in the industries of construction and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), one of its officials said Tuesday.

“Those [complaints] we have received were on the construction, BPOs. These are really coming from complaints we have received, even from the workers,” Ma. Teresita Cucueco, DOLE Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations, Labor Standards and Special Concerns Cluster, said in an online media forum organized by the Department of Health (DOH).

Cucueco did not disclose exact figures, but she noted that some of the complaints are based on anecdotal accounts.

DOLE spokesperson Rolly Francia told INQUIRER.net in a text message that the usual violations are non-provision of health declaration forms, no contact tracing being conducted, and no isolation facilities for workers who feel unwell.

Cucueco raised this concern as the DOLE, DOH, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) urge businesses to secure safety seals from the government, which guarantees that they are complying with health standards that were set to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In the same forum, Dr. Nikka Hao, OIC-Director of the DOH’s Disease Prevention and Protection Bureau, said that among the responsibilities of employers are to establish hand washing stations and implement daily checks for health standards, enforce the wearing of face masks at all times, improve ventilation in workspaces, and urge employees to avoid gatherings, eating together, and sharing items.

In August last year, the DOLE and the DTI issued new work protocols aimed at minimizing the transmission of coronavirus in the workplace.

The DOLE has found “deficiencies” from 668 business establishments in complying with health standards being imposed for workplaces to prevent the spread of the virus from January to February this year alone.

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JPV