To determine whether workers in the city are being paid with prescribed minimum wage rates and other benefits granted by law, a resolution requesting DOLE to conduct random ocular inspections on private business establishments in Puerto Princesa was proposed at the City Council Monday.
Authored by Councilor Victor Oliveros, the resolution requests the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to inspect business establishments with labor component of not less than 10 workers.
In his draft, Oliveros noted that P320 is the imposed daily rate by DOLE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) for establishments with 10 workers and above.
He said this rate is the prescribed minimum wage rate as of February 1, 2019, according to Wage Order No. RB-MIMAROPA-09.
Oliveros said further that Section 2 of Republic Act No. 6727 aims to ensure a decent standard of living for the workers and their families by declaring the policy of the State to rationalize the fixing of minimum wages.
“The same Wage Order provides that any employer who refuses or fails to pay the minimum wage rate prescribed by the DOLE shall be subject to the penalties imposed under RA 6727. Notwithstanding the Wage Order prescribing the minimum wage for workers, there are still private establishments in the City who provide salaries lower than the amount fixed by the DOLE,” stated Oliveros in the draft resolution.
Oliveros also stated in his draft that this resolution supports Sections 3 and 16 of Article 8 of the Constitution.
Sections 3 and 16 affirm that the state shall afford full protection to labor and promote full employment opportunities for all as necessary to the furtherance of the welfare of its citizens.
“There is a need to pass this legislative measure to guarantee the protection of rights of our local labor force to their just share in the fruits of production and to ensure a decent standard of living for the workers and their families,” stated Oliveros in his draft.