The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is the government agency in the Philippines responsible for the administration and enforcement of labor and employment laws. It is also responsible for creating policies that will promote gainful employment, protect workers’ rights, and improve working conditions.
Also Read: What is POEA? Philippine Overseas Employment Administration
If you have a job in the country, and you have questions about it, you will need to refer to DOLE for assistance or inquiries. The Philippine Labor Law (Labor Code of the Philippines) is a compilation of rules and regulations issued by the DOLE. It provides guidelines on how employees in the Philippines should be treated in a just manner, regardless of whether they work for a local or international company.
The DOLE has a wide range of programs and services that it offers to Filipino workers. These include skills training and development, employment facilitation, labor dispute settlement, social protection, and many others. To learn more information about DOLE’s programs, check out this guide so you can know the agency even better.
Table of Contents
Overview
Since its inception in 1908, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has grown from a small bureau agency. With the adoption of Act 4121 on December 8, 1933, it became a department.
By virtue of Republic Act 4121, the Bureau of Labor was established as a Department on December 8, 1933. This policy has been continuously evolving since then to respond to developing socio-political and economic concerns while preserving the protection and promotion of local and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as a primary focus.
What is DOLE?
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Philippines is a department tasked to ensure the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of workers in the Philippines.
The DOLE is a government body established by the Philippine Congress to offer advice and policy-making on issues in the area of labor and employment.
This means that if you have any issues with your job employment in the Philippines, you can file a complaint to DOLE.
DOLE is in charge of creating labor rules and implementing programs with employers/employees. It also acts as the Executive Branch’s policy-coordinating arm in the field of labor and employment.
Who is DOLE for?
The DOLE agency is intended for people who want to know more about working conditions in the Philippines, or those who have problems with their employers.
As a government agency, DOLE offers programs and services that are intended not only for Filipino workers but also for international workers enjoying temporary work permits here in the Philippines.
DOLE is for:
- Trade Unions
- Workers
- Organizations
- Employers
- Employees
- Groups
Functions and Benefits of DOLE for Filipinos
DOLE serves many functions and they have established many policies which have benefited Filipino workers in the Philippines. Here are some of the common things that you will expect that have been set up by DOLE.
Basic Pay
The minimum wage in the Philippines varies from 316 pesos to 537 pesos per day.
13th Month Pay and Bonuses
By the end of the calendar year, rank-and-file employees are required to receive this compensation. Every year, the payment must be made on or before December 24. The majority of employers pay their employees at the end of the year, but a few choose to pay them twice a year as well (in June and in December).
Overtime pay
Work performed outside of the permitted daily work hours is eligible for additional remuneration. The overtime rate for ordinary workdays is equal to the usual wage plus at least a 25% bonus.
Premium pay
Employees who work on rest days and regular/special non-working holidays are entitled to premium pay. You will be paid a premium that is at least 30% of the employee’s daily wage, plus a premium that is at least 130 percent of his or her daily wage.
The bonus increases to at least 50% of the ordinary daily wage if work is performed on a special holiday that falls on a scheduled rest day.
Night Shift Differential (NSD)
For each hour of work done between 10 pm to 6am, an employee is entitled 10 percent permium added to their regular wage.
Separation pay
If an employee’s employment with the company is terminated under legitimate circumstances, they are entitled to separation money. Separation compensation is not available to employees who are terminated for misbehavior, breach of contract, or any other criminal behavior.
Retirement pay
Employees between the ages of 60 and 65 who have worked for the company for at least five years will be compensated upon retirement. For each year of service, the amount should be at least half a month’s income. (A year is defined as a proportion of at least 6 months worked.)
Leave Benefits
Labor rules guarantee employees’ rights to take breaks and request leaves of absence as needed, in addition to compensation.
- Periods with regular meal and break
Employees must be given a minimum of 60 minutes every day for their normal meals by their employers. The specified 8-hour daily work period does not include breaks.
- Leave as a reward for service
The company is entitled to a minimum of 5 paid days for employees who have worked for the company for at least one year. These can be used as vacation or sick leave.
- Parental leaves
The Labor Code defines situations for maternity, paternity, and solo-parent leaves.
The Maternity Leave offers as much as eighty days for the women employee`s first 4 deliveries.
The Paternity Leave lets married fathers get as much as 7 days off with pay.
Solo Parents are furnished with 7 days leave with pay in the event that they have been with the employer for at least a year.
- Special leaves for Women
Philippine regulation offers women the subsequent unique Leave benefits:
– Up to two months with complete pay for women who go through surgical treatment to deal with gynecological issues
– Up to ten days with complete pay for sufferers of violence in opposition to women and their children
Contributions
Employers contribute to the government’s welfare program by deducting from each worker’s total monthly salary.
Social Security System(SSS)
SSS benefits cover illness, childbirth needs, retirement, disability, death and pensions. The current contribution rate is 11% of the monthly salary and the upper limit is 16,000 pesos. The employer donates 7.37% of the monthly amount. The remaining 3.63% will be borne by the employee.
Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF / PagIBIG)
PagIBIG Benefits provides employees with mortgages, emergency loans, and multipurpose loans. Up to 100 pesos are deducted from the employee’s salary each month.
Philippine Health Insurance Company (PhilHealth)
PhilHealth covers the needs of its members’ inpatients and outpatients. The monthly Phil Health Award ranges from 175 pesos to 875 pesos based on employee salaries.
Goals of DOLE
The Department of Labor and Job’s mission is to create and preserve industrial peace through promoting gainful employment opportunities, developing human resources, protecting and promoting workers’ welfare.
The goals of DOLE are to help Filipinos find jobs, realize their full potentials in the workplace, and care for the welfare of all who labor.
The agency is tasked by law with providing information regarding labor standards and implementing policies intended to advance safe working conditions. It operates Job Centers nationwide to assist individuals in looking for employment opportunities today.
List of Programs and Services of DOLE
DOLE offers a wide range of programs and services to help Filipinos find jobs, advance their careers, and care for their welfare. These include job placement assistance, training and development programs, health insurance coverage, and retirement benefits. Check out these projects below:
Special Amelioration Program
As mandated by RA 6982, the DOLE implements an industry-based social protection program – the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in the Sugar Industry. It seeks to improve the socio-economic conditions of sugar workers and their families in mills and plantations who are vulnerable due to the seasonality of the sugar industry’s work.
A P10.00 lien per picul of raw sugar produced, or P7.90513 per Lkg. Is collected when raw sugar is removed from the mill’s warehouse by issuing sugar quedans to planters and millers.
Job Search Assistance Services for Wage Employment
The following employment exchange facilities (i.e., Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Private Recruitment and Placement Agencies (PRPA), Contractors and Subcontractors, and Phil-Jobnet, Employment Kiosks) and career advocacy can help improve the number of job seekers placed in employment.
Programs
- Labor Market Information and Networking Program
- Phil-Jobnet and Skills Registry
- Capability-Building Program for Employment Service Providers
- Public Employment Service Office (PESO)
- Private Recruitment and Placement Agency (PRPA)
- Bridging Employment Assistance Program for Youth
- Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES)
Capacity-building Services for Livelihood
To assist low-income workers who choose self-employment or entrepreneurial ventures as a source of income. Lending opportunities for disadvantaged unemployed workers in engaging in livelihood; informal sector workers in enhancing their existing livelihood; wage workers in engaging in income-enhancing collective enterprises; and OFWs and their families in engaging in self-employment and enhancing their existing livelihood are all examples of services provided by the organization.
Programs
- Unlad Kabuhayan (Livelihood Enhancement)
- Kabuhayan Starter KITS (Livelihood Formation)
- Balik Kabuhayan (Livelihood Restoration)
- Dagdag Kabuhayan (Income Augmentation)
Social Partnership Promotion and Dispute Resolution Services
Labor disputes, collective bargaining, expeditious and fair resolutions of labor disputes, labor education, and social dialogues are all ways to preserve employment through the provision and implementation of measures and interventions that promote harmonious and cooperative worker-employer relations, collective bargaining, and expeditious and fair resolutions of labor disputes.
Programs
- Dispute Prevention and Settlement Program:
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Small Money Claims / Resolution of Small Money Claims
- Single Entry Approach
- Resolution of Labor Standards Cases
- Workers Organization Program:
- Registration of Union
- Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
- Workers Association
- Supervision of trade union activities
- Workers Organization and Development Program (WODP)
- Continuing Labor and Employment Education Program:
- Relations, Human Relations and Productivity (LHP)
- Continuing Labor Education Seminars (CLES)
- Labor Education for Graduating Students (LEGS)
- Workplace Cooperation, Partnership and Tripartism Program:
- Tripartite Industry Peace Council (TIPC)
- Industry Tripartite Council (ITC)
Services to Safeguard Fair and Just Terms and Conditions of Employment
To help large, medium, and small commercial businesses comply with general labor standards on a local level to preserve workers’ rights. Self-Assessment, Inspection, and Technical Assistance Visits; and other regulatory services are used to accomplish this.
The DOLE governs local hiring, placement, and associated operations to guarantee that private agencies follow ethical recruitment standards and processes. Licensing and other regulatory systems are used to accomplish this.
Programs
- Labor Standards Enforcement Program:
- Self Assessment (SA)
- Inspection
- Technical Assistance Visit (TAV)
- Employment Regulation Program:
- Private Recruitment and Placement Agency (PRPA)
- Job/Service Contractors and Sub Contractors
- Alien Employment
- Working Minors
- Social Protection and Welfare Services
Facilitating worker access to and enrollment in social security (SSS, Philhealth), particularly informal sector workers and OFWs who are not typically protected by government-sponsored social protection systems.
Programs
- Child Labor Prevention/Elimination Program :
- Sagip Batang Mangagawa (SBM)
- Provision of livelihood assistance to parents of former child laborers
- Educational assistance to victims of child labor
- Family Welfare Program (FWP)
- Facilitation of establishment of Family Welfare Committee in private companies
- FWP training/orientations for workers
- Facilitation of Workers in the Informal Economy (WIE) enrollment in Social security schemes
- DOLE- Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) for workers affected by economic crisis, and natural and man-made calamities
- Social Amelioration Program (SAP)
- Cash Bonus Fund
- Sugar Workers Maternity Benefit Program
- Sugar Workers Death Benefit Program
- Socio – Economic Project
- Work Accidents/Illnesses Prevention and Work Compensation and Rehabilitation Services
To reduce the number of workers with work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses by increasing workers’ knowledge and skills on occupational safety and health (OSH) at work through advocacy, enforcement, and capacity-building. Compensation and rehabilitation assistance for occupationally disabled workers are also included in the program.
Programs
- Occupational Safety and Health ( OSH) Training, Orientations and Seminars
- Facility evaluation/testing of safety devices
- Work Environment Measurement (WEM)
- Occupational Health Examination
- Safety Officers Accreditation Program
Video: DOLE Labor Standards
Check out this short video clip published by DOLE on their YouTube channel. This video features information about Labor law standards for employees in terms of salary and benefits. Please watch this video for your knowledge.
Summary
DOLE is in charge of managing all employment agencies that are based in the country. For expatriates, documentation requirements when applying for a working visa are needed.
For workers in small businesses, companies are required to have good relations with their employees so they will not get the attention of DOLE officials who are always monitoring them for compliance with rules and regulations. For employers, it is very important that all the rules must be followed during employment because any violations may result to imprisonment or fines which can
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) does its best to serve the Filipino people. By giving them equal opportunities to have work livelihood, they serve their purpose. We may pay their efforts by also doing our part in improving our skills to have work.
Contact Information
For your concerns, you may contact DOLE through these contact details.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
Main Office Address: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines
Hotline: 1349
Telephone Number: 8527-3000
Fax: 8527-3478
Email: askbwc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/laborandemployment
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laborgovph
Google Map Location
Please see below the DOLE main office building map location in Manila: