TO PROMOTE compliance to the newly-signed law on occupational safety and health standards, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Cordillera region and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) have launched an information education caravan for the working classes.

Exequiel Ronie Guzman, DOLE-Cordillera regional director, explained that based on the newly signed law, workers have the right to be informed about safety hazards in the workplace, and have the right to refuse unsafe work, right to report accidents, and right to be provided personal protective equipment at the expense of the company.

“This public information campaign for the whole region is to raise the awareness and promote companies’ compliance to the implementing rules and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards,” Guzman said.

Republic Act (RA) 11058, or "An Act strengthening compliance with occupational safety and health standards", was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 17, 2018.

An orientation for company owners and members of management on the implementing rules and regulations of the law which also provides penalties in cases of violations will soon be conducted by DOLE and OSHC.

“If the employers, contractors, sub-contractors violate this law they will be penalized P100,000 every day they will not correct and comply with the rules,” Guzman said.

Local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders in the region have been instructed by DOLE to inform sectors about their health and safety rights as employees.

“We want to ensure a safer workplace for our employees because it is their right regardless of the industry they are in,” Guzman added.

The passage of RA 11058, includes the rights of employees to know the content of the law stating the mandated instruction to employers to inform such rights to the employees.

Baguio has registered a 97-percent compliance rate to the labor laws, memorandum and circulars issued by the department.

DOLE-Cordillera is set to give attention to providing information to the construction industry due to its high susceptibility and risk to accidents and exposure to health problems.