DOLE won’t penalize Keppel Subic Shipyard for accident

The Philippine government will not penalize the Singapore-based shipping firm Keppel Subic Shipyard after six of its Filipino employees died and six others sustained injuries during a retrofitting of a Norwegian vessel earlier this month. “There are corrective actions needed in terms of occupational safety and regulations on shipbuilding, but there are no violations of the general labor standards," Baldoz said in an interview on the sidelines of the 3rd International Labor Standards Forum in Manila. DOLE “will consider the lifting of the suspension of operations of Keppel Shipyard" once the company adopts these corrective measures, Baldoz added. Responding to a question on whether a basis exists to sanction the shipyard’s operators, Baldoz said, “This is an accident…. The suspension of operations is more than penalty for the company," she explained. Baldoz also said Keppel Subic Shipyard will have to comply with the DOLE investigation team’s recommendations, including the DOLE accreditation of the company’s safety officers and subcontractors; employment of at least two full-time accredited safety practitioners who will implement the company’s safety program; attendance in a five-day DOLE construction safety training; and submission of an annual health and safety environment action plan subject to DOLE approval. The agency has also ordered Keppel Subic Shipyard to install corrective equipment to prevent similar accidents. — PE/VS, GMA News