ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 has handled 1,178 requests for assistance from employees of private companies since January 2024.
These requests, primarily concerning wage issues, were facilitated through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) program, aimed at resolving labor disputes amicably.
Data from DOLE-6 showed that 86.28 percent of these cases were successfully settled through mediation and conciliation, providing monetary benefits totalling P42,239,830.14. This is an improvement from last year’s settlement rate of 80.57 percent, with monetary benefits amounting to P221,924,051.01.
Melisa Navarra, the officer-in-charge Assistant Regional Director and concurrent chief of the Technical Support Services Division of DOLE-6, said wage misunderstandings between workers and employers are often resolved by filing a SEnA form, which initiates a mediation process.
“Our program offers an opportunity to intervene through mediation and conciliation to settle disputes without escalating to litigation,” Navarra stated.
Once a SEnA form is received, DOLE Field Offices set a conference where both parties are called to discuss and ideally resolve their issues within 30 days. According to Navarra, most cases are resolved during this period as misunderstandings about rights and obligations are clarified.
If disputes are not settled within the stipulated timeframe, they are referred to the DOLE Regional Office 6 for further action, including onsite inspections if the employee-employer relationship still exists. Cases without an ongoing relationship are forwarded to the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for appropriate handling.
Atty. Ma. Ailyne Valaquio-Pueblo, chief Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-6, noted that wage discrepancies, including non-payment or underpayment, are common complaints.
“Most issues that come to our office are related to wages, but they are generally settled as they often stem from simple misunderstandings,” Pueblo explained.
Apart from wage issues, other common complaints include health and safety violations, domestic worker concerns, and delays or failures to pay the 13th-month salary, among others./PN
