DOLE launches new 15/30 hotline for labor concerns

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment has launched a new round-the-clock hotline to address workers’ labor concerns.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the DOLE 15/30 hotline, or 1530, replaces the 1349 hotline. The hotline is currently only reachable by landline but Tolentino said the department plans to arrange mobile phone access with telecom companies.

DOLE believes its new hotline 15/30 will be catchier and easier to remember since workers usually get their salary every 15th and 30th of the month. 

Tolentino said the 15/30 hotline will handle labor and employment inquiries. He said it will also handle workplace complaints like poor ventilation, lack of access to drinking water, and failure to follow labor advisories. 

The agency’s Information and Public Information Service will operate the DOLE Call Center in three shifts to guarantee 24/7 operations.

“Nag-divide kami ng grupo, merong magtatrabaho ng alas-dose ng hatinggabi, yung graveyard shift…actual na tao ’yan ha,” Tolentino, who said he has tested the line, said.

(We have divided the group, so some will be on duty from midnight, that’s the graveyard shift. These are actual people, OK?)

The labor secretary appealed to the public not to subject the hotline to prank calls.

“Baka yung tunay na concerns ay mahirapan na makatawag,” he said.

(Those with genuine concerns might have trouble getting through.)