The Department of Labor and Employment in the Caraga Region (DOLE-13) has aided 250 employees in Surigao del Sur province claim their unpaid salaries as of Aug. 31.

In a statement Thursday, the DOLE-13 said that through its Inspection Program, the employees received their unpaid salaries from their employers worth PHP644,120.

“In Surigao del Sur, the inspected establishments were mostly engaged in wholesale and retail industries, tourism-related, construction, manufacturing, and mining,” DOLE-13 said.

The agency noted that of the 142 establishments inspected in the province, 22 with deficiencies were settled for the entitlements of their workers as of last month.

The common violations the establishments committed include non-remittance of social welfare benefits of their workers, particularly to the Home Development Mutual Fund, the Philippine Health Insurance, and the Social Security System.

“The establishments were also found having no maintenance of employment records, the absence of the first-aider, safety officer, Fire Safety Inspection Certificate, and the lack of occupational safety and health policies,” the DOLE-13 said.

DOLE-13 vowed to conduct more inspections on establishments in the region to ensure compliance with safety and health standards and on the payment of correct wages and benefits of their workers. (PNA)