QuestionsQuestions (DOLE DEPARTMENT ORDER NO. 125-13)
It is titled “Revised Guidelines on the Conduct of Time and Motion Study (TMS)” and governs the procedures and standards for conducting TMS—specifically Work Improvement and Measurement—consistent with the DOLE Rationalization Plan and the Labor Code provisions on piece rate/standards.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).
Workers of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who are paid by result, including pakyaw, piecework and other non-time work under Article 101 of the Labor Code.
Enterprises where no employer-employee relationship exists are excluded.
They may be covered only for purposes of setting standards for work improvement and productivity.
“Order” refers to the Piece Rate Order or Production Standard Order issued by the DOLE Regional Director (as DOLE Chairperson) based on RTWPB TMS recommendations.
Application may be filed by the union, a worker, an owner/manager, or a duly authorized representative of an MSME. If filed by a union or worker, mere application suffices and the RTWPB must immediately notify the owner/manager to submit documentary requirements.
Business permit (current year); list of employees with corresponding wages; job activities with existing wage rates; method of payment of wages (e.g., pakyaw/takay/commission); and proof of notice of filing of application for determination of piece rate or production standard setting.
Applications with incomplete documentary requirements shall not be accepted; if sent by registered mail or e-mail, it shall be returned using the prescribed reply form indicating the reason/s for denying the application.
It must be filed with the appropriate RTWPB having jurisdiction over the workplace. If filed with the DOLE-RO and field offices, it must be immediately forwarded to the appropriate RTWPB.
Before such rates are given effect.
At any time at the discretion of the requesting party, without prejudice to workers’ right to recover differences between what they should receive under the standards/rates and what they were actually paid.
Within 30 days from determining completeness, it must: secure authority from the RTWPB Chairperson/DOLE Regional Director; set schedule and agenda via an initial conference; and conduct the initial conference to discuss engagement rules and terms of reference, then prepare minutes for approval.
Gather/record job, operator, operation, surroundings and conditions; study activities (process flow if any); break down job into elements and classify (cyclical/non-cyclical); measure and record times (average/normal/basic/standard) using tools like stop watch/video; reconvene participants for next steps; compute/analyze; hold exit conference; and submit RTWPB report and TMS documentation to the DOLE Regional Director for approval.
Any aggrieved party may appeal within ten (10) days from receipt by filing a verified appeal with the RTWPB in two printed and legible copies, stating grounds—such as violations of the procedure in Rule II, Section 2.
A recital of facts; list of studied job operations/activities with corresponding rate per unit (piece rate) or quota per day (production standard); and issues involved/discussion where applicable.
It remains valid and effective unless sooner revoked, suspended, revised, or reviewed.
Compliance is enforced by the DOLE-RO under Labor Code Articles 128 and 129. Violations may lead to revocation or suspension by the DOLE Regional Director after due process.
RTWPBs file Orders and TMS documentation at the RTWPB; one complete copy is sent to NWPC for database purposes. NWPC conducts random documentation and/or site audits, and provides copy of results to the concerned Board Chairperson.