LABOR LAWS VIOLATION. Department of Labor and Employment Central Visayas (DOLE 7) regional director Salome Siaton turns over to some of the 10 security guards their checks as payment of their company. The ceremony was held at the DOLE 7 office in Cebu City on Monday (Nov. 12, 2019). (Photo courtesy of DOLE-7)
CEBU CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE 7) on Monday ordered a general merchandise company here to pay over PHP1 million to 10 security guards for its failure to pay overtime, night differentials, service incentives and illegal deductions for 10 years.
Salome Siaton, regional director of DOLE 7, said the order against the establishment came after an inspection held in March this year after receiving complaints from the affected workers.
As a result of their investigation, she said it was found out the establishment was liable to the security guards.
Based on the order, each security guard could receive from PHP10,000 to PHP190,000, depending on the number of days or months their employer is liable to pay. The total amount of liability reaches PHP1,040,621.32.
Siaton described the total amount paid by the “respondent-establishment” as a collective payment for the workers’ overtime pay amounted to more than PHP990,000, night shift differential to PHP7,000, service incentive leaves to PHP7,000 and Illegal deduction to PHP30,000.
“We are urging the public to help us monitor the establishments not in compliance with labor laws and standards. Anytime, they may report any violations to us by phone or through e-mail,” Siaton said in a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Siaton personally turned over the checks to the security guards at the DOLE-7 office on Gorordo corner Gen. Maxilom Avenue.
“A series of mandatory conferences were conducted after inspection, thereby giving the respondent an opportunity to show proof of corrections of the violations noted by our labor inspector,” Siaton said.
“For violations under the General Labor Standards, companies inspected must be able to correct noted deficiencies within 10 days upon receipt of the notice of inspection results,” she added.
Violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) must be rectified within the maximum period of 90 days, she said.
She said there has been no compromise reached between the establishment and the security guards.
However, the company (name withheld) complied with the DOLE order by paying its liability to the 10 security guards, instead of appealing the case within the period allowed by the regulations, she said. (PNA)
