DOLE-Iloilo leads orientation on New OSH Law

WITH the enactment of Republic Act No. 11058 (An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Department of Labor and Employment Iloilo Field Office (DOLE-IFO) took the lead in conducting an orientation on the salient features of the law.

On Feb 15, 2019, DOLE Iloilo oriented 22 partner-intermediaries from various industries in the province such as manufacturing, academe, business process outsourcing (BPOs), construction, health, sugar mills, contractors and subcontractors, and hotels and restaurant.

Mr. Melveen Melocoton of the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) Regional Unit 6, discussed the salient features of the law, highlighting the rights and obligations of both workers and employers. He also explained in detail the law’s coverage, prohibited acts as well as the corresponding penalties in case of violation of its provisions.

Melocoton also emphasized that the penalties shall be computed on a per day basis until full compliance reckoned from the date of notice of violation or service of the compliance order.

DOLE-Iloilo head Joselito dela Banda said that the participants expressed their willingness to comply with the law. However, during the open forum, Dela Banda said they expressed hesitation on the time constraints and costly penalties imposed by the new law.

To allay their concerns, both DOLE and the OSHC advised the participants that companies can submit an Action Plan on their compliance with the law during the conduct of labor inspections.

RA 11058 or the New OSH Law was signed into law on August 17, 2018. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was signed on December 6, 2018, published in The Philippine Star on January 9, 2019 and took effect on January 25, 2019.