Previous Story
‘Actual implementation may take time’
|
Posted on Jul 26 2004
While labor regulations allowing multiple jobs for nonresident workers will be legally in effect starting next week, it may take awhile for the Department of Labor to actually start processing second employment applications from alien workers, the Division of Labor head said yesterday.
Labor director Dean O. Tenorio said the department’s staff will need some time to prepare for the implementation of the new regulations, which he described as “a major reform.”
“We rewrote the entire rules which have been in effect since their inception in 1988. That is why it took us a lot of months. We had to think through the problems. There are also some things that we have been practicing but are not on the books legally,” Tenorio said.
“Because this is a whole new set of ideas and procedures, we will need preparation time to revise our form and processes, train our staff and educate the public.”
Tenorio also bared plans to conduct forums and briefings on the new regulations.
He advised workers to direct to the department any questions or comments they may have about the new policy, instead of simply following what they hear through the grapevine.
“Don’t follow the rumors. Wait for our briefings. The rules are not always crystal clear. If you rush, there are things that you can misunderstand. Just give us some time,” Tenorio said.
Besides allowing alien workers to hold multiple jobs, the new regulations raise the nonresident workers’ surety bond and other labor processing fees.
Under the new policy, the bond’s coverage would be equal to six months’ wages from the current two or three months’ wages.
Among the new fees introduced are $30 for every 30-day period and a maximum of $250 yearly for multiple employment; $20 for filing a complaint; $75 for a temporary work authorization and $25 to renew a TWA; and $25 for a contract amendment.
The new rules also allow casual employment of workers and temporary transfers within the same business, and present a formal procedural guide for the department’s administrative hearing office.
