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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Thursday, August 18, 2016

DOLE Bicol unveils Hotline, explains prohibition of labor-only contracting scheme

By Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, August 18 (PIA) – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sorsogon Field Office chief Marilyn Luzuriaga readily answered media queries in a press conference here, August 15, as  part of the simultaneous press conference organized by DOLE Bicol regional office for its six provinces covered in the Bicol Region.

The simultaneous press conferences primarily intended to solicit support from local media practitioners disseminate in a wider audiences the DOLE’s Regional Hotline (0918) 309-6665. The hotline is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week open.

Answering query on the procedure of accessing the hotline, Luzuriaga said the caller needs to have a cellphone and a load as it is a regular number, dial the hotline number, introduce details of the caller and state the concern.

DOLE assured that the call will be answered in 10 minutes and would be acted upon within 24 hours.

Lyn Jimenez, station manager of STV tried the hotline making a follow-up of her previous employment and labor concerns, and was promptly acted upon by the operator, an indication that the hotline is active, easy accessible and ready to serve.

Meanwhile, the press conference also delved on DOLE’s Labor Advisory No. 10 series of 2016 or the Prohibition Against Labor-Only Contracting, and Department Order 162 series of 2016 or The Suspension of Registration of New Applicants as Contractors or Subcontractors Under Department Order No. 18-A.

Luzuriaga said that prohibition against labor-only contracting is pursuant to Article 5 and 106-109 of the Labor Code, as amended, and consistent with the policy directives to strictly implement and enforce the workers’ right to security of tenure.

Labor-only contracting refers to an arrangement where the contractor or sub-contractor merely recruits, supplies or places workers to perform a job, work or service for a principal.

Citing as an example is the current common practice of establishments or agencies to hire workers for five months, at the end of a 5-month contract will again be hired.

The advisory covers contractors or subcontractors that do not have substantial capital or investment in the form of tools, equipment, machineries, work premises, among others and the workers recruited and placed by such person are performing activities which are directly related to the principal business of such employer.

DOLE, under the Department Order No 162 series of 2016, impose the suspension of registration of new applicants as contractors or subcontractors notwithstanding Sections 14,15,16,17,18,19 and 20 of Department Order No. 18-A series of 2011.

However, all certificates of registration of contractors or subcontractors issued prior to the order shall be respected, unless otherwise revoked through the exercise of the enforcement and adjudicatory powers of the Secretary of Labor and Employment or his duly authorized representative.

Contracts entered into by duly registered contractors or subcontractors prior to the issuance of the order shall not be impaired or diminished consistent with the provisions of the Labor Code, the Civil Code and existing jurisprudence.

Sorsogon Guardian Publisher Alice Lopez shared concern on the possible increase of unemployment rate once the campaign will be fully implemented.

Luzuriaga said the agency is concerned about the worker’s welfare and DOLE is in the process of coming up with safety nets plan where DOLE can provide livelihood opportunities for those who will be unemployed.

She further said that their advocacy is to stop end of contract or ENDO scheme and compel contractors or subcontractors to directly hire the workers to have regular working status or be considered employees of their company or establishment. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/801471511285/dole-bicol-unveils-hotline-explains-prohibition-of-labor-only-contracting-scheme#sthash.NoVVlCYo.dpuf

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