DOLE-7 Rescues Three Child Laborers from Two Sub-Contractors of SM Seaside Project at SRP

(PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) rescued three child laborers employed at Pamcore Steel Corporation and Top Glass and Aluminum Construction recently.

DOLE-7 Labor Communication Officer Luchel Taniza said that Pamcore Steel Corporation and Top Glass and Aluminum Construction are the two of the 42 subcontractors doing operations at the SM Seaside Project at the South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City.

According to DOLE 7 OIC regional director Exequiel Sarcauga that in the joint assessment conducted by the DOLE’s Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCOs), the three child laborers were all 17 years old and found working at the site.

“Two of them were employed by Pamcore Steel Corporation. The other one was assigned as a checker/spotter by Top Glass and Aluminum Construction,” Sarcauga added.

Sarcauga called for a mandatory conference right after the issuance of the work stoppage which likewise implicated Monolith Construction and Development Corporation, the project’s general contractor.

“The law clearly prohibits the employment of children especially in the industries considered hazardous like one in the construction,” said Sarcauga, adding that the DOLE does not tolerate such a misdemeanor and will make sure that erring establishments will be made accountable.

Upon the directive of Director Sarcauga, the DOLE facilitated the whole child labor rescue operation through the Regional Child Labor Protection and Elimination Program (CLPEP) chief Rebecca Densing, focal and Supervising Labor and Employment Officer Efren Vito with the assigned LLCOs, Engr Rustico Levi Custorio and Engr Kenneth James Burbos.

On June 19, Densing said two of the three child laborers were taken to their respective boarding houses in Tabada, Mambaling.

“On the same day, around 8:00 P.M, we took the first one to the New Cebu South Bus Terminal where he was turned-over and personally received by the driver of the Ceres Bus who will take him to Negros Occidental,” Densing added.

The next day, the other minor was taken by the same DOLE personnel to Pier One Terminal Building and turned-over to the captain of Ocean Jet, the fast craft to ferry the minor to Ormoc City.

Prior to the send-off, Sarcauga coordinated with Director Elias Cayanong of DOLE-8 and Director Ponciano Ligutom of DOLE-6 for the safe transport of the minors.

“We asked for the assistance of our counterparts in Regions 8 and 6 where the two rescued child laborers came from. We requested them to help facilitate the children’s safe return to their hometown,” said Sarcauga.

As for the minor who hailed from Balangiga, Eastern Samar, the office requested DOLE-8 to fetch him in Ormoc City and arrange his safe return to his place, Sarcauga told the media.

“We also requested DOLE-6 to fetch the other minor who travelled with an adult and arranged for his transport back to his family in Matacay, Camingawan, Kabangkalan City, Negros Occidental,” Sarcauga said.

The third minor who was employed by Top Glass and Aluminum Construction is now with his relatives in Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.

Sarcauga disclosed that concerned subcontractors shouldered for the transportation expenses of the children saying further that Pamcore Steel Corporation is likewise accountable for paying for the back wages to the minors they employed.

The work stoppage issued to both subcontractors last June 18 was the 15th released and served by DOLE-7 since January 2015.

“We issued a conditional lifting of the stoppage order on June 22 after the removal of the child laborers from the project site. We are giving them until June 29, 2015 to rectify the remaining deficiencies,” Sarcauga said.

Top Glass and Aluminum Construction and Pamcore Steel Corporation are yet to submit their Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) license and provide for the social protection benefits (SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig) of the children. (mbcn/jsme/PIA7-Cebu/ with reports from DOLE7)