LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS | Tulfo wants to remove ‘tedious and long’ process on labor cases

May 11, 2023 , 04:48 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(May 11, 2023) – A broadcaster-turned-senator has proposed a “one-strike policy” to impose stricter penalties on employers who violate minimum wage policies and other labor laws, which he described to be “toothless.”

Raffy Tulfo, the vice-chairman of the Senate labor panel, said he wanted to remove the “tedious and long” process faced by workers when lodging a complaint against erring employers before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), even when they hold strong evidence.

“Dapat one-strike policy ang pairalin laban sa mga isinu-sumbong na mga tiwaling employer sa DOLE,” Tulfo said in the committee hearing on Wednesday.

“Kapag may iprinisentang matibay na ebidensya ang manggagawa laban sa kanyang amo na hindi nagbibigay ng tamang pa-sweldo at benepisyo, kailangan agad-agad patawan ng parusa si amo at obligahin na magbayad. Ito na ang dapat na bagong patakaran. Wala nang marami pang satsat.”

The senator said the DOLE’s current policy on labor-related complaints would start by issuing a letter to the employer asking for an explanation. But the employers are still given another chance to reply if they fail to respond to the department’s request, allowing some employers to use this to delay the proceedings.

He also criticized the department’s mediation proceedings, which is sometimes recommended in some labor disputes, as it at times took decades to resolve.

Last year, DOLE reported an uptick in labor disputes between January and May following the easing of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, BusinessMirror had reported.

Tulfo previously raised concerns on what he described as double standards in upholding the rights of employees and employers in labor disputes, with numerous workers complaining of challenges in receiving their claims from the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) despite getting a favorable decision in disputes.

“Indeed, the enforcement of rights through litigation is not the same for employers and employees,” Tulfo told his colleagues last November. “Iba ang pinagda-daanan ng abusadong employer at ng kawawang manggagawa.”

On International Workers’ Day last week, various labor groups pressed the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to heed their calls for higher wages, safer working environment, and greater respect for workers’ rights.

For his part, Marcos gave assurance to the labor sector that his government is taking steps to improve the conditions of the country’s workers and their families.

(MM)

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