PAL assures compliance with labor standards

The Philippine Airlines (PAL) said that it is verifying the alleged labor violations that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said some of its service providers have committed and vowed to comply with labor standards and practices.

In a statement on Thursday, the airline company said that DOLE has sent PAL the results of its initial Special Assessment Visit of Establishments (SAVE) covering four stations – Bacolod, Dumaguete, Davao and Zamboanga, citing violations of labor standards which are contracting out workers, underpayment of wages, overtime pay and underpayment of service incentive leaves.

“Philippine Airlines would like to clarify that these “noted” infractions/violations were in reference to alleged acts committed by service providers of PAL and PAL Express stations,” PAL said.

“PAL Group Management (PAL and PALEX) shall exhaust all means to ensure compliance to general labor standards, labor laws and industry standards and practices,” it added.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello on Wednesday said initial findings showed that PAL and PAL Express violated several labor laws.

“PAL and PAL Express, including their contractors and sub-contractors – we also noted violations of general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards,” Bello said.

READ: Labor chief: PLDT and PAL have been violating labor standards

PAL said that its management is currently carrying out a verification process on the allegations and has instructed all relevant domestic station operations heads to validate DOLE’s findings.

“If and when these infractions are validated, PAL will require said service-providers to comply within a specified period as provided by DOLE rules and require submission of respective proof of compliance,” PAL said.

“As we strive to sustain safety and service as the cornerstone of PAL operations, we welcome the conduct of such SAVE assessments from the Labor Department as these ensure a check and balance mechanism, which will ultimately redound to the benefit of PAL and its passengers,” it added.

According to Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, who heads the labor compliance inspection, the assessment of PAL could be completed around May 1. IDL/rga