DOLE chief welcomes workplace safety law
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III welcomed the signing into law of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) bill, which he said is expected to minimize workrelated deaths and accidents.
“It’s really a big thing for everyone. You are talking of safe workplaces to avoid accidents, diseases, and above all, there will be no labor-related deaths there,” Bello said during the Occupational Safety and Health National Convention held in Quezon City on Wednesday.
Last week, President Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11058 which ensures a safe and healthful workplace for workers and giving them full protection against all hazards in the workplace.
The Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) law also seeks to amend the 41-year-old Labor Code of the Philippines, which contains no criminal penalties for violators.
During the assembly, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) chief also recalled last year’s fire at the NCCC Mall, which killed 38 workers due to the non-compliance with ocupational safety and health (OSH) standards.
Bello also said they will monitor establishments to ensure that the provisions of the Labor Code, domestic laws, and internationally recognized standards on OSH are being strictly enforced and complied with by employers.