DoLE: 24,000 firms comply with standards

MANILA, Philippines — Eighty one percent of companies inspected by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) nationwide have complied with the labor standards for 2010.

Labor and Employment Undersecretary Lourdes Transmonte said that about 24,000 of the 30,000 companies, which were inspected by DoLE in the first phase of its Labor Force Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP), have been found to observe the core standards of the Labor Code.

“From January to November we have inspected 30,000 companies that have complied with the core labor standards, including the minimum wage,” Transmonte said.

The figure exceeded the 70 percent compliance rate earlier targeted by DoLE. She said DoLE expects the compliance rate to increase after it has finished its pending investigation in the compliance of some establishments.

Transmonte said most of the compliant establishments come from big firms, like large Business Process Outsourcing companies, while small and medium enterprises in the retail and the service sector recorded the highest number of violation.

Despite the suspension of LEAP last December for the holidays, Transmonte said DoLE has continued to monitor the companies for compliance with DoLE advisories, particularly the payment of the 13th month. She said the second phase of LEAP will start by January 17.

She said during the second phase of LEAP, DoLE will focus on agencies for cleaning crews and security service, and establishments with labor-only contracting, where contractors have no control over the performance of their employees. –SAMUEL MEDENILLA, Manila Bulletin