500 displaced workers seek NLRC's assistance

Cebu - More than 500 dismissed workers from four different companies have filed complaints before the National Labor Relations Commission after they were not given separation fees.

Fe Baduel Cabigon, administrative officer V of NLRC, said that the retrenched workers from Nusumi Fortune Services, Lear Corp., Western Watts and Meatland are seeking assistance from their office.

Aside from illegal dismissal and not being given their 13th month pay and separation fees, many of the workers complained of being underpaid.

Most of the complaints that NLRC received were during the second quarter of 2008.

More than a month ago, Lear Corporation, an American firm based at the Mactan Economic Zone, has retrenched some of its 120 workers due to alleged losses.

Early this month, Meatland, another company based in MEZ, also laid off more than 200 workers, citing financial crisis.

Meanwhile, Cabigon said that about 50 employees who worked in Taiwan went to their office complaining that they were sent home just after six months of work.

The complainants said they applied and were sent to Taiwan to work in the company named JS Contractor. However, the company has allegedly already settled with their employees and has paid their separation fees. — AJ de la Torre/WAB (THE FREEMAN)