A YEAR after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 51, an order protecting the workers’ right to security of tenure, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) continues to sanction establishments not following the requirements of the labor code.
Dole-Davao Assistant Director Jason Balais said despite the agency's move to end illegal forms of contractualization, more than 20-percent of the estimated 1,300 establishments in the city are not complying with the security of tenure order.
Balais said since they conducted the inspection last February, they already issued notice of violation to different establishments in the city.
Although, he said there are some which have only minor violations.
"For every establishments na mabisita sa amo inspectors (For every establishment our inspector visits), at least eight of them are found to be compliant," he said.
Balais said establishments were given 10 days to comply with their violations, or Labor Standard cases will be filed against them.
Meanwhile, he said Dole cannot impose closure to non-complying firms unless violations are related to occupational safety or lives of the workers are put into jeopardy.
Currently, Dole has more than 30 inspectors conducting inspections.
However, he said the agency will add more manpower to make sure all establishments will comply with the labor code.
"Essentially, we cannot cover all establishments considering the number of inspectors we have," Balais said.
Meanwhile, he said Dole is already addressing illegal forms of contractualization.
However, he said outsourcing of contractuals is still considered legal based on the order.
Meanwhile, Dole recently conducted a two-day Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan Job and Business Fairs at Gaisano Mall of Davao in Davao City starting last May 1, Wednesday.
As of 12 noon, May 2 (including figures from May 1), a total of 192 applicants were hired on the spot, 138 are from local employment, 54 are from overseas employment. While a total of 1,294 applicants were qualified, 858 are for local employment, while 436 are for overseas employment. Overall, the job fair registered 2,032 applicants, 1,439 are seeking for local employment, 593 are for overseas employment.