A capacity-building for Labor Inspectors and Assistant Labor Inspectors on the new labor inspection framework for private establishments and micro-enterprises was held at the Japi Hotel, Cauayan City, Isabela on May 4-5, 2023.
The activity is in view of the issuance of Department Order No. 238 series of 2023 or the Rules on the Administration and Enforcement of Labor Standards Pursuant to Article 128 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as renumbered, and Republic Act 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law.
The new labor inspection framework offers assistance to micro establishments by plotting out a development program geared towards increasing productivity and smoothing subsequent compliance with the General Labor Standards (GLS) and OSH, as governed by Department Order 198-18.
In his message, OIC-Regional Director Jesus Elpidio B. Atal, Jr. emphasized the important roles of the Labor Inspectors (LIs) and Assistant Labor Inspectors (ALIs) in the implementation of D.O. 238-23, particularly on the Technical and Advisory Visit (TAV) to help micro-establishments bounce back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and be able to comply with existing labor laws, with reiteration on developmental approach.
“The most important thing is let us give value and integrity to our work,” OIC-RD Atal, Jr. said.
Meanwhile, DOLE RO2 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Nepomuceno Leaño II discussed the salient features of D.O. 238-23.
“I’m challenging all the provincial heads to finish their respective TAV targets at the end of July 2023 so that the ALIs will be utilized and help in the implementation of the other programs and services of the department especially in the TUPAD,” ARD Atty. Leano II said.
In response, Mediator-Arbiter, Atty. Mary Gladys Paguirigan, TSSD Chief Laura B. Diciano and Provincial Heads’ Elizabeth Martinez of DOLE-NVFO, Geraldine Labayani of DOLE-QFO, Evelyn Yango of DOLE-IFO, Grace Pomar of DOLE-CFO and Ramoncito Liggayu of DOLE-BSO presented their strategic plans for the roll-out of TAV for CY 2023 in the five (5) provinces of Region 02.
The LIs and ALIs will implement the TAV through 3 different modalities: onsite, online and hybrid and will cover modules on GLS, OSH standards, productivity, child and family welfare, among others.
Micro establishments meanwhile have the option of choosing the mode of instruction, whether face-to-face, hybrid or online, and will accomplish a checklist after the session to assess their compliance and if there will be compliance gaps, the MEs will submit an action plan that will be monitored and validated by the ALIs. ###
