All labor inspection activities, except as herein below provided, are hereby suspended in all regions effective November 14, 2003 until January 16, 2004.

The following activities are not covered by this suspension order:

1. The investigation of labor standards complaints which shall in all cases be speedily disposed of;
   
2. Technical safety inspection (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 the disposition of pending labor standards cases, the preparation of Inspection Program for CY 2004 and activities that include capability building that shall be conducted by the Bureau of Working Conditions to fully implement the Labor Standards Enforcement Framework.

For strict compliance.

Adopted: 05 November 2003

(SGD.) MANUEL G. IMSON
  Acting Secretary