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CEBU CITY, Philippines - Around 40 percent of more than 1,000 companies operating in Cebu City violated national occupational safety and health standards in 2007.
Exequiel Sarcauga, assistant director of the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE-7), said most violations include hazardous work environments and lack of ventilation, fire safety equipment and fire exits.
Sarcauga, in a press conference yesterday, said the DOLE-7 cannot impose penalties on violating companies because the workers do not complain or report the violations.
For now, the only thing DOLE-7 can do is remind companies to always comply with safety standards, he said.
Sarcauga said that companies with workforces of nine individuals or less are usually those that violate safety standards.
Despite the lack of concern for work safety, Sarcauga said a DOLE-7 survey indicated a decline in reported workplace accidents. Four accidents were reported in Cebu City in 2007, he said, while 12 were reported in 2006.
Companies in the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu are next to be inspected, Sarcauga said. The going is expected to be slow, however, since DOLE-7 has only nine inspectors that can check the more than 49,000 companies in Central Visayas.
Dr. Dulce Estrella-Gust, executive director of the Occupational Safety and Health Center of the DOLE head office, said her office regularly conducts training and seminars on safety and health standards.
Companies in the Mactan Economic Zones are already undergoing the training, Gust said.
