The study is a product of the recommendations of stakeholders, particularly during the gap analysis of ILO Convention No. 81 and 129 (Labour Inspection in Industry, Commerce and Agriculture) to have an annual inspection report. The Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), the program manager of the Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS), requested the assistance of the Institute in drafting the said report. In addition, the publication of the said document would provide a detailed assessment for policy and program improvement.

The study aims to analyze the current inspection statistics (2014-2016) on general labor standards (GLS) and occupational safety and health (OSH) standards and using trends analysis, recommend interventions to efficiently implement the inspection program to achieve higher level of compliance in labor laws and related issuances.

The research analyzed existing reports on labor inspection in order to provide interventions in the following aspects of program management: planning and targeting, resource allocation, monitoring and evaluation, and assessment.

Based on existing inspection reports, there is a decreasing rate of compliance S and OSH standards for 2014-2016. Non-compliance of establishments can be categorized into the following areas: (1) documentation (administrative reports, recordkeeping); (2) registration (of establishments, safety and health program etc.); (3) social welfare benefits coverage and remittance (SSS, Philhealth, Pag-IBIG); (4) compliance on giving monetary benefits (minimum wage, basic wage and COLA); and (5) implementation of health and safety guidelines (HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis). Furthermore, there is an increasing trend in compliance visits (for GLS complaints) and OSH investigations for the past three years.

Labor inspection is a recognized mechanism to ensure full respect for labor standards and the fundamental principles of rights at work. Hence, strengthening the labor inspection system would also increase the outcome of securing a higher level of compliance with labor laws and standards, and sustaining compliance at the workplace.

With the issuance of the new guidelines in labor inspection, program managers and implementers can take note of the following components: (1) Planning and targeting inspection is the key element to implement inspection. It can use the trends of previous inspections to efficiently allocate resources and manpower; (2) Compliance at the regional level can help decision-makers strategize the conduct of inspection; and (3) Recurring violations can be prevented with the adequate intervention.

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Title: Labor Inspection Trends 2016
Researcher: Joyce Anne S. Lumactud