200 new labor inspectors hired

With over 900,000 establishments to be inspected, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has given the green light to hire 200 new labor inspectors.

The recruitment will beef up the 500 labor inspectors already deployed nationwide.

The labor department said it needs 2,000 new inspectors. Recently, Bello sworn into office 35 new labor laws compliance officers (LLCOs) who will be sent to critical areas.

"Today you have become labor inspectors. This is a big responsibility because you are tasked to champion and translate into action our commitment for intensified social protection for our Filipino workers,” he said in a statement.

Bello said he expects that the new inspectors will boost the department’s all-out campaign to provide workers job security, protected rights, enhanced welfare and a safer and healthy working environment.

"Remember that you will now be in the frontline and your paramount duty is the promotion of workers’ welfare, safety and protection. Bear in mind that these same fundamental enjoyments for workers are the necessary elements in ensuring the sustainability and growth of businesses and industries,” Bello said.

Twelve of the new LLCOs are licensed engineers, three are under board engineers, 10 are nurses, and three are graduates of law. The others are teachers, and commerce, business management and criminology graduates.

The inspectors visit, assess and inspect businesses to check compliance with general labor laws and occupational safety and health standards.

DOLE had submitted an initial list to Malacañang of companies found violating the rules against illegal contracting and sub-contracting. On the list are about 3,000 companies.