Lawmaker tells DOLE: Continue to improve labor inspection system

MANILA, Philippines — House Labor and Employment Committee Chair Fidel Nograles on Sunday urged the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to strengthen the country’s labor inspection system to ensure safer working conditions and better protection of workers’ rights.

This statement came after the ratification of the Labor Inspection Convention No. 81 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) early November.

In a statement on Sunday, Nograles emphasized that the convention sets global standards for a comprehensive labor inspection framework.

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Hence, the Rizal Representative, challenged the government to increase efforts in improving labor inspection services through a comprehensive compliance strategy.

“We also need to make our labor inspectors more capable of doing their crucial job through constant training and by providing necessary equipment,” the lawmaker added.

Nograles further underscored that having highly skilled personnel is essential, given the crucial role labor inspection plays in fostering a safer and better working environment across the country.

“Our labor inspectors are not only enforcers, but also advisers providing guidance and technical expertise to organizations so that they may root out malpractices and other abusive conditions,” Nograles said.

In addition to enforcing labor laws, Nograles believes that an effective labor inspection system also acts as a partner to businesses, helping them identify and improve workplace practices.

“We must work so that the Labor Inspection Convention No. 81 is not a mere piece of paper, but one that the government can actually enforce for the welfare of Filipinos,” Nograles concluded.

Earlier in November, a Philippine delegation presented the ratification instrument of Labor Inspection Convention No. 81 to ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva.