All labor inspection activities, except as herein below provided, are hereby suspended in all regions effective immediately and until January 4, 2002.

The following activities are not covered by this suspension order:

1. The investigation of labor standards complaints which should in all cases be speedily disposed of;

2. Technical safety inspections (e.g., inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, mechanical and electrical installation);

3. Urgent inspections that may be called for because of compelling circumstances, in which case, the Regional Office concerned shall seek the approval of the Secretary of Labor and Employment before any such inspection may be conducted.

Reports on the above activities shall be accomplished in every case, as required under existing rules and regulations.

The period of suspension will be utilized for disposing of pending labor standards cases, improving the Labor Standards Enforcement Monitoring Systems (LSEMS) and preparing the inspection program for 2002 in accordance with existing rules and policies.

For strict compliance.

Adopted: 21 Nov. 2001