THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued a Work Stoppage Order (WSO) against Burgundy Corporate Tower in relation to the accident last Friday in Makati City, where two people were killed after the building’s elevator collapsed.
DOLE ordered a stoppage to all activities related to replacing and dismantling the passenger elevator of the building.
“There shall be a prime facie presumption of imminent danger or dangerous occurrence from the receipt of verified information on the existence of disabling injury. Within twenty four (24)hours from such receipt, the regional Director shall issue a WSO and shall direct the Labor Inspector to conduct an OSHS (Occupational Safety and Health Standards) investigation,” the WSO stated.
According to the order, which was signed by Atty. Sarah Buena Mirasol on July 8, it ordered the Colliers Property Management of Burgundy Corporate Tower, Concepcion-Otis Philippines, Inc., DLC Electro Mechanical Engineering Services, and sub-contractors if there are any, to attend the hearing that was held yesterday, July 11, 2022 at 9 a.m. at the Technical Services and Support Division-Labor Relations and Labor Standards (TSSD-LRLS) at the DOLE-NCR Building in Malate, Manila.
Ito ay upang matukoy ang karapat-dapat na alisin o hindi ang Work Stoppage Order na ito.
“The Secretary of Labor may likewise order stoppage of work or suspension of operations of any unit or department of an establishment when non-compliance with the law or implementing rules and regulations poses grave and imminent danger to the health and safety of workers in the workplace. Within twenty-four hours, a hearing shall be conducted to determine whether an order for the stoppage of work or suspension of operations shall be lifted or not. In case the violation is attributed to the fault of the employer, he shall pay the employees concerned their salaries or wages during the period of such stoppage of work or suspension of operations,” the order said.
The Technical Services and Support Division-Regulatory (TSSD-Regulatory) personnel and sheriffs were also instructed to serve and implement said order.
Failure to abide by the order is a criminal offense punishable under Article 288 of the Labor Code of the Philippines as amended, according to the DOLE.
The incident claimed the lives of Marfel Mico Linayao and Rey Miguel Gileda based on initial investigation by the Labor Inspector on-site.