Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to require field inspectors to use body cameras during workplace visits to ensure transparency in monitoring wage compliance.

Speaking at the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, where he serves as vice chair, Tulfo criticized reports that some manufacturing firms still fail to enforce the mandated wage hike, with workers earning as little as P280 daily.

He suggested that inspectors often neglect actual workplace checks and worker interviews, instead heading straight to closed-door meetings with human resources officers. Tulfo alleged that some leave with “thick envelopes,” implying corruption.

The senator warned he may push to defer DOLE’s 2026 budget if erring inspectors remain in office. He also requested a list of inspectors, particularly in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela, citing corruption complaints. “If they are lazy, falsify reports, or fail inspections, I want them dismissed,” he said.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma acknowledged Tulfo’s concerns, pledging to provide the requested list and address misconduct.

In June, the NCR wage board approved a ₱50 hike in the daily minimum wage, raising rates to ₱695 for non-agriculture workers and ₱658 for agriculture, retail, and small manufacturing employees.