Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has mandated that the owner and contractor of the collapsed building project in Angeles City, Pampanga, pay over PHP11.7 million in labor-related liabilities and administrative fines. 'The DOLE found that Jackson Lim and Golden Years Construction and Steelworks Corporation were liable of PHP1,426,798.50, representing PHP1,102,798 for labor standards violations, and PHP10,324,000 as an administrative fine under Republic Act No. 11058 for willful violation of occupational safety and health standards,' Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said during a weekly forum on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the investigation revealed that construction work continued despite a DOLE-issued work stoppage order, thereby exposing workers to hazardous conditions. These conditions posed significant risks of serious injury or death to the workers involved.

The agency's findings also included multiple labor standards violations, such as the non-payment of wages and statutory benefits. Workers were reportedly not compensated properly for work performed on rest days, Saturdays, and holidays, and were subjected to wage underpayment.

The probe further uncovered several critical safety violations. These included the failure to provide personal protective equipment, the absence of permits for operating mechanical lifting equipment, the lack of required occupational safety and health personnel such as safety officers and first aiders, and the failure to provide temporary accommodation for workers.

Additionally, the company was found to have submitted fake and invalid certificates for the project's designated first aider and safety officer. 'They also submitted fake and invalid certificates for the project's first aider and safety officer,' Tolentino added.

In response to these findings, DOLE will forward the complete case records to the National Bureau of Investigation and the Angeles City local government for further action.