DOLE-7 to companies: Follow new wage rates

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7 urged employers to religiously observe and follow the new applicable wage rates recently approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-7 for Central Visayas.

"We are fervently hoping that our partner-establishments would heed to and respect the new wage order. The DOLE will always have a way of knowing non-compliant companies anyway by way of conducting inspection," said DOLE-7 Director Alvin M. Villamor, who also chairs RTWPB-7.

Villamor, in a press statement, said that companies do not have to wait for the DOLE to check on them as voluntary compliance to labor laws is always a better recourse to take than subjecting establishments either to routine or complaint inspection.

The new wage order will take effect on August 3, 2018.

In the same statement, DOLE-7 OIC-Assistant Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, however, clarified that not covered by the provisions of the new wage order are domestic helpers or the Kasambahay, including persons in the personal service of another and the workers of establishments registered under the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises with valid Certificates of Authority.

Buenafe said that complaints for non-compliance with the new wage order should be lodged at the DOLE-7 and would be subjected to the mandatory 39 days conciliation and mediation process under the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program.

Buenafe added that if settlement fails, the case becomes subject of enforcement proceedings under Articles 128 and 129 of the Labor Code as amended.—

Palaubsanon/MBG

Mitchelle L.