The Philippine labour department has deputised 126 inspectors from labour organisations, employers and professional groups to help inspect enterprises for their compliance with labour standards.
The inspectors will augment DOLE’s workforce in enforcing labour laws in various establishments in the country.
Their authority, laid down in an administrative order, is good from 26 January to 31 December this year.
“Social partners authorised may interview workers in the presence of the DOLE’s labour laws compliance officers and employers’ representatives, review employment records and attend mandatory conferences of the assessed establishments,” said labour secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“They will be under the direct supervision and control of DOLE regional directors.”
Of the 126 deputised inspectors, 101 come from labour groups, 18 from employers and seven come from professional organisations of nurses, engineers, and occupational safety and health practitioners.
They underwent a comprehensive training on general labour standards and occupational safety and health and earned a certification from DOLE. They are considered volunteers and will not be paid for their services.
The DOLE regional offices shall submit a quarterly report of inspection activities participated in by the deputised volunteers to the Bureau of Working Conditions.
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