DOLE says 4,000 companies reported COVID-19 infection among employees

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Thursday said that at least 4,000 companies in the country reported COVID-19 infection among their employees.

"Of the 48,000 establishments, 4,000 reported having COVID-19 cases," Labor Assistant Secretary Maria Teresita Cucuenco said during the Laging Handa briefing.

"Most of these are in the services, manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, finance/insurance and construction sectors."

Cucuenco said DOLE is on track of conducting physical inspection of 75,000 establishments in a year.

"Due to surge in COVID-19 cases in NCR Plus, we really intensified inspection for compliance with minimum public health standards as well as other health and safety standards not related to COVID-19," she said.

According to the official, of the 75,000 target, they were able to conduct physical inspection in 72,000 establishments.

NCR Plus covers Metro Manila and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal.

Meanwhile, Cucuenco also said the Labor Department has issued safety seal to 292 establishments so far.

"These are mostly in NCR where most of establishments are, as well as Region 4A and Region 3," she said. —KBK, GMA News