In a heartwarming turn of events, 18 workers who were dismissed from their former company specializing in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in Quezon Province, have received P659,404.46 worth of separation pay on April 28, 2023.
The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. IV-A through its Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE-QPO) played a vital role in facilitating the release of the monetary claims of the workers. Mr. Kim Darren Pabilonia, Labor and Employment Officer III, acted as the Desk Officer who assisted the workers in their request for assistance (RFA).
On March 14 and 16, 2023, these 18 workers filed their RFAs through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) program of the Department of Labor and Employment, which is a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation process to provide a speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure of all labor issues or conflicts to prevent them from ripening into full-blown dispute.
One of the workers who received their separation pay is Cesar (not his real name). He expressed his gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment for their help in settling their RFA.
"I am grateful for the support that the government has extended to us. We are lucky to have the Department of Labor and Employment Quezon Provincial Office to assist us in our time of need," he said.
DOLE QPO Head Mr. Edwin T. Hernandez also congratulated both the workers and employers for the peaceful settlement.
"This is an example of how labor disputes can be resolved through dialogue and understanding," Hernandez said.
"DOLE has been working tirelessly to promote gainful employment opportunities, develop human resources, protect workers and their welfare, and maintain industrial peace. The SEnA Program is just one of the many initiatives that the DOLE has introduced to help workers in need," Mr. Hernandez added.
Meanwhile, DOLE IV-A Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe mentioned that the said settlement is a reminder that with the right support and assistance, workers who have been laid off can get back on their feet and find new opportunities to support themselves and their families.
"The Department of Labor and Employment is a beacon of hope for those who have been illegally dismissed or affected by layoffs and other unexpected events that can impact their livelihoods," Atty. Buenafe stated.
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DOLE QUEZON NAGSILBING TANGLAW NG PAG-ASA SA 18 MANGGAGAWA
Sa isang nakakabagbag-damdaming pangyayari noong Abril 28, 2023, nakatanggap ng P659,404.46 na halaga ng separation pay ang 18 manggagawang natanggal sa kanilang dating kumpanyang Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sa lalawigan ng Quezon.
Malaki ang papel na ginampanan ng Department of Labor and Employment Quezon Provincial Office (DOLE QPO) sa pagpapadali sa pagbabayad ng monetary claims ng mga manggagawa. Si G. Kim Darren Pabilonia, Labor and Employment Officer III, ang nagsilbing Desk Officer na tumulong sa mga manggagawa sa kanilang request for assistance (RFA).
Noong Marso 14 at 16, 2023, ang 18 manggagawang ito ay naghain ng kanilang mga RFAs sa pamamagitan ng Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) na programa ng Department of Labor and Employment, na isang 30-araw na mandatoryong proseso ng conciliation-mediation upang magbigay ng mabilis, walang kinikilingan, walang bayad at madaling paraan ng pag-aayos ng lahat ng isyu o salungatan sa paggawa upang maiwasan ang mga ito na maging ganap na kaso.
Isa sa mga manggagawang nakatanggap ng kanilang separation pay ay si Cesar (hindi niya tunay na pangalan). Ipinahayag niya ang kanyang pasasalamat sa Department of Labor and Employment para sa kanilang tulong sa pag-aayos ng kanilang RFA.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa tulong na ipinaabot sa atin ng gobyerno. Maswerte tayo na mayroong Department of Labor and Employment Quezon Provincial Office na tutulong sa atin sa oras ng ating pangangailangan," he said.
Binati rin ni DOLE QPO Head G. Edwin T. Hernandez ang mga manggagawa at employer para sa mapayapang pag-aayos.
"Ito ay isang halimbawa kung paano malulutas ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan sa paggawa sa pamamagitan ng diyalogo at pag-unawaan," sabi ni G. Hernandez.
"Ang DOLE ay walang pagod na nagtatrabaho upang itaguyod ang mga oportunidad sa trabaho, paunlarin ang mga yamang-tao, protektahan ang mga manggagawa at kanilang karapatan, at panatilihin ang kapayapaan sa industriya. Ang programang SEnA ay isa lamang sa maraming mga hakbangin na ibinibigay ng DOLE upang matulungan ang mga manggagawang nangangailangan," dagdapg pa ni G. Hernandez.
Samantala, sinabi ni DOLE IV-A Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe na ang nasabing settlement ay isang paalala na sa tamang suporta at tulong, ang mga manggagawang natanggal sa trabaho ay makakabangon at makakahanap ng mga bagong pagkakataon para masuportahan ang kanilang sarili at kanilang pamilya.
"Ang Department of Labor and Employment ay isang tanglaw ng pag-asa para sa mga iligal na tinanggal o naapektuhan ng mga tanggalan at iba pang hindi inaasahang pangyayari na maaaring makaapekto sa kanilang kabuhayan," pahayag ni Atty. Buenafe.
by:
FRANZ RAYMOND J. AQUINO
Senior Labor and Employment Officer
