DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Ilocos Region recorded an 86.71% compliance rate for General Labor Standards (GLS) though businesses in the region are still recovering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor Information Officer Justin Paul Marbella said there are 2,506 private establishments in the region that have been inspected and monitored under the Labor Inspection Program in 2022, and 2,173 of these firms passed the GLS.
“DOLE-Region 1 noted third highest accomplishments rate in the entire country,” Marbella added.
DOLE Ilocos regional director Exequiel Ronie Guzman said these numbers are reflective of the generally-healthy labor environment in the region.
“This shows that even when businesses and enterprises are still recovering from the economic impacts of the pandemic, employers are still mindful of their obligations to their workers,” Guzman said.
The Labor Inspection Program aims to strengthen the “visitorial" and enforcement powers under the Labor Code of the Philippines to ensure compliance of private establishments with labor laws and standards particularly the GLS, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), and OSH-Covid.
A total of 56,293 workers were covered in the inspection activities.
Some 475 establishments inspected were in Ilocos Norte, 609 in Ilocos Sur, 538 in La Union, and 884 in Pangasinan.
Most of the establishments inspected were micro (1-9 workers) at 1,331 establishments; small (10-99 workers) at 1,077; medium (100-199 workers) at 61; and large (200 and above workers) at 37.
Establishments are GLS-compliant when they are proven to observe minimum wage rates, social coverages such as Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund, and other statutory monetary benefits.
In OSH standards, DOLE Ilocos accounted 71.91% compliance rate in 2022.
“While this is at par the guiding compliance rate of 70%, improvements can be made. For 2023, we shall strengthen our efforts to ensure more establishments are compliant to OSH,” Guzman directed the inspectorate.
He also set the agenda that for 2023, the DOLE Ilocos shall prioritize to inspect medium and large establishments.
He has also initiated talks with social partners, such as the SSS, to ensure sustainability of compliances.
“These are steps we take ahead. In February, our inspectors shall take part in the National Labor Inspection Summit, where amendments in the inspection guidelines are anticipated to be discussed,” he added.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Labor Inspection results also showed top non-compliance areas such as on overtime pay, holiday pay, and basic wage pay for GLS; and the absence of first aider, safety officer, and OSH program for OSH. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)
