DOLE intensifies drive on labor related issues

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is intensifying its fight to curb illegal recruitment, human trafficking and child labor in all fronts, locally or overseas, to further safeguard the welfare of the Filipino workers from unscrupulous recruiters and syndicates.

Regional director Exequiel Ronie Guzman said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued an administrative order creation of a new task force against illegal recruitment, recruitment of minor workers, and trafficking in persons to avert workers from being victimized by people who employ nefarious means.

“Despite efforts to eliminate illegal recruitment, trafficking in persons, and recruitment LAGAWE, Ifugao -More than 800 students in the province will be employed this summer through the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with various employing agencies.

Isabelita Codamon, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of of minor workers, reports indicate that these social menaces continue to proliferate and pose continuing threats to Filipino workers,” Guzman said.

Among the general functions of the new group is to develop and execute strategies and schemes against the modus operandi of illegal recruiters, as well as recommend their prosecution to the labor secretary.

The task force has also the power to conduct surveillance and entrapment operations of persons believed engaged in illegal recruitment, and cause or direct the immediate investigation and speedy prosecution of cases involving the illegal recruitment. DOLE–Ifugao, informed a total of 820 SPES slots were approved for implementation this summer. These beneficiaries will work in the different local government units (LGUs) for 20 days with various rates.

Based on the approved slots, the provincial government will hire 170 students. For the municipal

For it to be effective, the task force will have National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNPCIDG) to serve as its operational and law enforcement arm.

The task force will be headed by DOLE Undersecretary Jacinto Paras, with the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) as vice chair, and the Director of Bureau of Local Employment as member. The other members include the heads of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), and Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns.

Among the general functions of the task force is to develop and LGU, Alfonso Lista will hire 125; Kiangan, 98; Hingyon, 80; Aguinaldo and Lagawe with 65 each; Mayoyao, 55; Asipulo, 47; Tinoc, 40; Banaue, 30 and 25 each for Hungduan and Lamut.

The LGUs will provide 60 percent counterpart of the wages while DOLE will take charge of the 40 percent.

The SPES is an employment execute strategies and schemes against the modus operandi of illegal recruiters, human traffickers and recruiters of minor workers; development and execution of strategies against syndicates responsible for tampering of birth records, securing spurious passports and travel documents; and recommend to the labor secretary the prosecution of recruiters of minors, human traffickers and illegal recruiters and syndicates, their cohorts, protectors, and coddlers.

The task force also has the power to conduct surveillance and entrapment operations of persons believed engaged in illegal recruitment; and bridging program during summer or Christmas vacation that aims to augment the family’s income of poor but deserving students, out of school youth or dependents of displaced workers who intend to finish their education. Over the years, the program has helped many students to pursue their education.