THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR and Employment (DOLE) said it is now in the process of crafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 11058 or the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) law.
DOLE Acting Secretary Joel Maglunsod said they expect to come up with the IRR within three months. “With this, we look forward to its full compliance after we have crafted its Implementing Rules and Regulations in the next 90 days,” he said.
He said with the signing of the new law by President Rodrigo Duterte, the country will now have a comprehensive legislation on occupational safety and health standards.
“This augurs well for the DOLE as it continues to ensure that labor standards and occupational safety and health are upheld at all times in workplaces. We had earnestly shepherd and pushed for the enactment of this law, this is why we are grateful to Congress and the President,” Maglunsod said.
“This is a landmark legislation aimed at the full well-being of our workers. This administration will continue to exert all efforts for the protection of the rights of workers to safe and healthful workplaces, and the promotion of their welfare,” he added.
RA 11058 covers all establishments, projects, and sites including those in the economic zones. It stipulates the duties and rights of employers and workers. It guarantees workers the following: the right to refuse to unsafe work; right to report accidents and the right to personal protective equipment.
The law also requires safety signage and devices, safety in the use of equipment, OSH information, program and committee, safety officer, occupational health personnel and facilities and OSH report and trainings. Likewise, it imposes a fine of P100,000 a day until the violation has been corrected.
“The law further mandates the solidarity liability of the employers and contractors. It imposes an administrative fine of not exceeding P100,000 for willful failure or refusal to comply with the set standards and compliance order,” Maglunsod said. (Ferdinand Patinio)
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