Due to economic crisis: DOLE can't stop firms from firing workers

CEBU, Philippines - “We cannot hold the decisions of the companies if they lay off their workers due to the economic crisis, but we are here to help the employees who have lost their jobs.”

This was what Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Elias Cayanong said about the recent retrenchments.

Cayanong said this after another furniture company in Cebu City reportedly fired 200 workers.

He stated that they do not have the power to tell the companies not to retrench their employees due to the crisis, but what they could do is help the workers who will seek their aid in terms of referrals and assistance through their programs.

“We could make referrals if they would like to work abroad for example or we have other programs that they could avail of,” Cayanong added.

According to Cayanong, there are those companies that lay off their employees temporarily, but they only are allowed to do this for a maximum of six months.

The workers who were lately laid off from their jobs complained that their termination was illegal since they were not given notice 30 days before.

But Cayanong said that these matters should be addressed to the National Labor Relations Commission.

DOLE along with other agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) offers programs like livelihood assistance programs and scholarship programs that workers could avail when they seek for the offices’ assistance.

NLRC Acting Labor Arbrition Associate Fernando Santiago said that so far, no one from the furniture company has complained to their office regarding the illegal lay off.

Santiago said that the workers who have complained were the laid off employees from LEAR Corporation.

Santiago said that the workers were all paid 50 percent of their separation pay already, but still they will be filing cases against the company.Other complainants were Overseas Filipino Workers from Taiwan, who have already settled with their companies.

Santiago said that they are willing to help the workers from the furniture company if they would go to their office. — AJ de la Torre/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)