DOLE chief urges inspectors to uphold highest standards in protecting workers' rights
By Trixee Rosel
At A Glance
- DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma urges labor inspectors to elevate performance and uphold the highest standards.
- Calls for integrity, continuous training, and full use of institutional support.
- Highlights labor inspections as key to protecting workers' rights and ensuring safe, respectful workplaces.
- Recognizes regional offices for outstanding compliance and effective enforcement of labor standards.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma (Photo: DOLE)
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Tuesday, Nov. 11, urged labor inspectors to elevate their performance in enforcing labor laws and ensuring workplaces remain safe and respectful for all Filipino workers.
Laguesma said inspectors must commit to continuous training, uphold integrity, and fully utilize institutional support to perform their duties effectively.
“Our standard should never be just 'acceptable'; what we do must be excellent so that we can earn the trust and full support of our social partners,” he stressed.
At the Labor Inspection Summit, he reminded inspectors to act with integrity and confidence, noting that labor inspections are not only for enforcement but also serve to protect workers’ rights and uphold justice in the workplace.
Acknowledging the evolving nature of work, Laguesma said DOLE is modernizing systems and adopting a risk-based approach to ensure inspectors are trained and empowered to perform their duties without interference.
He also urged workers’ organizations to educate and empower employees, while calling on employers to embrace compliance as a reflection of integrity and social responsibility.
“At the end of the day, our mission is about helping ordinary people. It should reflect in the lives we improve, hazards we prevent, and the dignity of workers we safeguard,” he added.
During the summit’s Gabi ng Parangal, DOLE recognized regional offices for outstanding performance.
Caraga, Northern Mindanao, and Central Luzon were cited for highest compliance on labor and occupational safety standards, while MIMAROPA, Ilocos Region, and Central Luzon received awards for top OSH and GLS compliance.
Special citations were also given for efficiency in compliance procedures and enforcement, covering regions including Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, NCR, and other key areas nationwide.