Littler Global Guide - Philippines - Q4 2021

Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

View all Q4 2021 Global Guide Quarterly updates   Download full Q4 2021 Global Guide Quarterly

Labor Inspections for 2022

New Order or Decree

Authors: Emerico O. De Guzman, Partner, and Franchesca Abigail C. Gesmundo, Senior Associate – Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz

Through Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Administrative Order No. 269, the DOLE directed the temporary suspension of all labor inspection activities starting December 1, 2021. Exempted from this suspension are Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) COVID-19 Monitoring under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 20-04A of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); complaint inspections; OSH standards investigations; technical safety inspections, such as inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, and mechanical and electrical wiring installation; and inspection of any establishment or industry as directed by the DOLE Secretary. The suspension of inspection activities was implemented to enable the DOLE to dispose of all pending inspection cases and to prepare for the 2022 inspection program.

Further Guidelines on Vaccination of Employees in the Private Sector

New Regulation or Official Guidance

Authors: Emerico O. De Guzman, Partner, and Franchesca Abigail C. Gesmundo, Senior Associate – Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz

IATF Resolution No. 148 -B, promulgated on November 11, 2021 mandates COVID-19 vaccination for employees who are tasked to do on-site work in areas where there are sufficient supplies of COVID-19 vaccines as determined by the National Vaccines Operation Center (NVOC). Eligible employees who remain unvaccinated may not be terminated solely by reason thereof. However, they shall be required to undergo RT-PCR tests regularly at their own expense at least once every two weeks for purposes of on-site work. Antigen tests may be resorted to when RT-PCR capacity is insufficient or not immediately available.

Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.