DOLE Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Cucueco. (Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing)
MANILA – The government is ready to assist companies that have yet to comply with rules on the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in workplaces.
“The joint memo circular is contained in a law. This is the safety and health law that has corresponding penalties. But, before we talk about penalty, we want to help companies, who were to found have violations after the inspections. Ask them why they failed to comply. Is it due to lack of information or they do not know how?” Labor Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresita Cucueco said in a Laging Handa presser on Thursday.
Cucueco was referring to the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on Workplace Prevention and Control of Covid-19 signed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
However, she said it would be a different story for firms that deliberately violate the rules.
“If they do not want to comply, they will be penalized. The penalties will range from PHP20,000 to PHP100,000 per day depending on what violation,” she said.
Cucueco said over 70,000 have been inspected last year with over 90 percent compliance with the JMC.
“The companies have complied with the requirements of the guidelines, on what should be done inside workplaces to ensure that the workers are safe and far from the dangers of Covid-19,” she said.
Cucueco, however, said there are cases the companies of micro, small and medium enterprises that failed to comply, particularly on the rule on filling up of health declaration forms and temperature checks.
“These are the usual violations we encountered but after inspection, the inspectors tell them that they need to correct or comply since these are the procedures will provide them preventive actions for the transmission of Covid in workplaces will be stopped,” she said. “Let us follow the minimum public health protocols, always wear mask, shield, the frequent disinfection, physical distancing.” (PNA)
