SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Provincial Office recently conducted a Technical and Advisory Visit (TAV) which aims to ensure micro-establishments’ (MEs) higher level of compliance with labor laws.

A total of 549 MEs, or employers with a minimum of one (1) and maximum of nine (9) employees, from various municipalities in Occidental and southern Oriental Mindoro, participated in the TAV sessions.

Each session started with a discussion of the DOLE’s General Labor Standards (GLS), Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS), Child and Family Welfare Program, Productivity Toolbox, and the department’s other policies and programs.

DOLE Labor Inspectors (LIs) provided a checklist for MEs to help them identify possible compliance gaps. DOLE OccMin Senior Labor and Employment Officer Gener L. Francisco explained that the checklist covers GLS which assesses if the employees are compensated for their labor such as 13th month, overtime, holiday, and regular pay, including social benefits like SSS, PhilHealth, and PAGIBIG.

OSHS on the other hand, comprises elements ensuring the safety of the employees, such as having a trained first-aider, and safety officer in the workplace.

According to Francisco, 58.73% of participating MEs have compliance gaps which are attributed to employers’ lack of knowledge on GLS. “Kadalasan talaga riyan, mababa ang pasahod ng mga employer. Kung mababa ang sahod, definitely, mababa rin o walang holiday pay. Kadalasan ding walang social benefit ang mga empleyado,” (The common compliance gaps among employers is lack of monetary compensation for employees. This is usually accompanied with low to no holiday pay. There are times that the employees’ social benefits are not paid as well by the employers), he said.

During the TAV sessions, MEs and LIs worked hand-in-hand to create an action plan to address the gaps and formulate the corrections, and will be given three (3) months to comply.

“We are now promoting a developmental approach among our micro-establishments as they contribute significantly to our economy. With TAV, employers and workers will be made aware of their rights and responsibilities, thus fostering a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws,” DOLE Occidental Mindoro Provincial Director Peter James D. Cortazar emphasized.

However, if MEs will not comply after the given time frame, they will undergo DOLE’s labor inspection and neglected compliance gaps will be treated as violations of the law.

The TAV is conducted in accordance with Section 25 of the Republic Act No. 11058 or Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof, which aims to ensure that all employees are protected and provided with a safe and healthy workplace. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa – Occidental Mindoro)