Workers of closed call center get paid

CEBU, Philippines - Over 600 employees of the defunct Direct Access Corp. now have a reason to celebrate Christmas after receiving cash and an opportunity for employment by a foreign company who took over the defunct business outsource processing company.

Amarateel Incorporated just came in to settle the Direct Access Corp.’s obligations and paid reasonable cash amount to employees who have claims to their previous company.

Yesterday, Amarateel Inc. paid the 677 employees and started recruiting. All those who were left jobless when Direct Access Corp. closed were promised employment as long as they pass the new company’s standards.

Atty. Janeses “Jade” Ponce, consultant of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, said a sizeable number of the 677 affected employees will get their jobs back now under Amarateel.

He said part of the settlement was withdrawing the case filed by employees against Direct Access

“Because even if they continue the case, wala naman sila’y makuha kay wala naman ang company. Wala man gyud sila’y assets,” Ponce said.

He said what was left of Direct Access were computers, which he doubts would be disposed of immediately. He said the employees did a good job by accepting the offer of Amarateel.

Each employee received amount that ranges from P15,000 to P20,000. Amarateel shelled out over P225 million to pay the employees and shoulder the other obligations of Direct Access Corp.

Ponce said Amarateel is a Chicago-based company that has its own product. It will start operating in Cebu by January on the same office location occupied by Direct Access before.

 – (FREEMAN)