Compliance Audit in September

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will issue next month the guidelines on the conduct of regional audit on the implementation of labor laws compliance system (LLCS).

Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said audit rules are being finalized while trainings for deputized volunteer labor inspectors continue.

“The guidelines for this is still being drafted. This will also include sanctions on labor inspectors against possible violations. We hope to release the guidelines and make the team operational this September,” Maglunsod said.

Secretary Silvestre Bello III recently issued Administrative Order No. 159 constituting the LLCS audit team chaired by Maglunsod and co-chaired by Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, together with the heads of the five DOLE offices as members, namely the Bureaus of Working Conditions (BWC), Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), Labor Relations (BLR), Local Employment (BLE) and the Occupational Safety & Health Center (OSHC).

The audit team will be responsible for monitoring and supervising the performance of the Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCO) throughout the country, and in addressing the appeals and concerns of employers who question the results of assessments made by LLCOs.

The team will also identify issues or gaps in the policy and operations of the LLCS and propose recommendations to address them.

“The audit team will be composed of both senior labor inspectors and deputized volunteers, and will directly report to the DOLE Secretary. The team will ensure strict implementation of labor laws and supervise labor inspectors in the regions,” Maglunsod said.

DOLE has recently trained 55 volunteer labor inspectors in the National Capital Region and 53 in Mindanao. Meanwhile, more than 50 volunteer inspectors from the Visayas will conclude their training this month.

“These deputized inspectors will be designated and given authority by the DOLE regional offices. We are still waiting for the additional volunteer inspectors from the Visayas,” Maglunsod said.

Department Order 131-B, or the Revised Rules on Labor Laws Compliance System, sets higher level of compliance with general labor standards and occupational health and safety, and ensures continuity and sustainability of compliance at the workplaces by nurturing a culture of voluntary compliance.

Maglunsod meantime ensures that despite the insufficient number of labor laws compliance officers, DOLE is strictly implementing general labor standards, particularly the campaign against illegal forms of contractualization. (DOLE / P. Ang)