COTABATO CITY — At least 10 business establishments are being closely watched by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) North Cotabato provincial office for violation of labor laws, an official said Tuesday.
Marjorie Latoja, DOLE provincial director, said her office has been conducting surprise inspections in various business establishments and employment firms to ensure that daily wage earners are properly paid in accordance with the prevailing wage rates.
Without identifying the business establishments and employers, Latoja said violators of labor laws in the province could reach more than 10.
Latoja said among the violations were non-compliance of regional wage laws, no overtime pay for regular workers, and unfavorable workplaces to workers. She said the erring businesses will be called for a mandatory conference to give them time to comply.
“If these reminders and opportunity given to employers are ignored, the DOLE will issue order of violation and appropriate charges will be filed against them,” she warned.
Among the firms inspected by a team of DOLE personnel include those in the agriculture sector and services, such as business establishments, hotels, and warehouses.
North Cotabato is home to banana plantations, one of the biggest employers in the province.
Meanwhile, the local government of Arakan, also in North Cotabato, has lauded the DOLE Region 12 office for the livelihood assistance to stakeholders that created positive impact on the socio-economic situation of beneficiaries.
The Arakan town council passed a resolution on Monday commending DOLE-12 for its generosity in steadily imparting to the people the agency’s programs and services.
This year alone, DOLE-12 has extended PHP2,117,668 as its 40 percent counterpart for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and PHP2,851,601.50 for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) implementation to Arakan town.
In a statement, Sisinio Cano, DOLE-12 regional director, said the agency’s programs and services will continue to be implemented in different parts of the region with continued partnership and strengthened linkage with stakeholders.
Region 12 or the Soccsksargen area comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and the cities of Cotabato and General Santos. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
