EVEN as it awaits the 5,000 new labor laws compliance officers (LLCOs), the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) has ordered the deployment of over 200 volunteer labor inspectors to help check compliance of establishments.

In an administrative order, Dole Secretary Silvestre Bello III disclosed that 237 volunteer labor inspectors have been given authority to inspect establishments in different regions with large concentration of industries.

“They will help augment Dole’s inspection teams in the strict enforcement of labor laws in various establishments,” said Bello.

“The volunteer inspectors are under the direct supervision and control of Dole regional directors,” he added.

Bello said the volunteer inspectors come from qualified members of legitimate labor organizations, labor associations, chartered locals, national union or federation, accredited integrated professional organization/accredited professional organization, non-government organization, and employer’s organization.

They will help augment Dole’s inspection teams in the strict enforcement of labor laws in various establishments in the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Socsksargen, and Caraga.

As provided in the order, the volunteer labor inspectors may interview workers in the presence of Dole compliance officers and employers’ representatives, review employment records and attend mandatory conferences of the assessed establishments.

The deputized inspectors, he added, will be supervised by LLCOs.

In turn, all concerned DOLE regional offices shall submit a quarterly report of inspection activities that were participated in by deputized Dole volunteer inspectors to the Bureau of Working Conditions.

Bello said the authority took effect last March 27 and will be valid until December 31.

Currently, Dole only has over 800 LLCOs that are tasked to assess over 900,000 establishments across the country.

Earlier, Dole Secretary Silvestre Bello III said he will be asking for an additional 5,000 new LLCOs to primarily help finding illegally working foreign nationals. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)