DOLE to scrutinize 70,000 firms on child labor starting 2014

At least 70,000 companies nationwide will undergo thorough inspection by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) beginning 2014 to check if they are complying with labor laws.

 

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Thursday said the department will implement to the full extent the Labor Law Compliance System (LLCS) next year. 

 

It aims to reduce cases of labor-related violations by deploying labor law compliance officers (LLCOs) to inspect business establishments. 

 

"The special audit and assessment of business establishments all over the country... will ensure that businessmen are paying the correct amount of minimum wage to their workers and... are not employing child workers," Baldoz said at the "Red Card to Child Labor" press conference organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Taguig City.

 

Since May, DOLE hired 372 LLCOs to inspect “priority” business establishments:

LLCS was established to encourage company owners to heed labor laws, Baldoz said.

 

Companies that enforce labor laws will receive a certificate of compliance. Non-compliant establishments will receive technical assistance from DOLE and be closely monitored by LLCOs.

 

"The issuance of certificates of compliance is an encouragement to company owners to be follow labor laws and make their employees aware of their rights. Having a certificate of compliance means an establishment will no longer be inspected if they are complying with labor laws for two years. This means less bother for the owners," she said.

 

3 million child workers

 

According to a 2011 National Statistics Office Survey on Children, at least 3 million Filipino child workers aged five to 17 were working under poor conditions. Ninety-nine of the child workers were engaged either in farming or mining – jobs considered hazardous – where they are exposed to toxic chemicals.

 

ILO country director Lawrence Jeff Johnson said the Philippines made significant progress in the issue of child labor, but much needs to be done to keep them out of poor and dangerous conditions.

 

Johnson said providing gainful employment to parents is one of the keys to keep children from being forced to work.

 

"No parent wants to see their children work under hazardous conditions, but many children are forced to work out of necessity,” he said. “We need to reach out more to barangays and families to show there are alternative sources of livelihood for them instead of allowing their children to work," Johnson added.

 

The Red Card to Child Labor is a global campaign ILO launched last week to stop the use of children in factories and businesses. The campaign has gained the support of several Hollywood stars such as Oscar-winning actor and singer, Cher.

 

A red card in sports, including football, indicates a serious offense.

 

The campaign was launched in the Philippines on Thursday with a mini-concert and a football tournament at the Emperador Stadium in Taguig City. There were 200 former child workers at the launch.

 

The former child workers learned football at the Younghusband Football Academy owned by Philippine Azkals players Phil and James Younghusband.

 

Phil Younghusband said teaching the sport to poor kids is their way supporting the campaign to end child labor in the Philippines. "We're very supportive of the Red Card campaign, because we know how important children are to the future of football in the Philippines, he said. 

 

“We've committed to hold tournaments and football clinics for the children quarterly because we want to be involved in this project on a long-term basis," Younghusband added. – VS, GMA News