Around 4T workers receive P110M in benefits from settled disputes

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas has awarded over P110 million in monetary benefits to workers through its Single Entry Approach (SenA) program.

At least 3,825 workers received P111,368,912 in benefits from January to December 2019, said DOLE-7 Regional Director Salome Siaton.

“As of December 2019, there were 3,825 workers who benefited a total of P111, 368,912.25 in monetary benefits under SEnA,” Siaton said in a statement.

October 2019 tallied the biggest amount awarded to affected workers at P29 million, followed by the month of January at P24 million.

Siaton said the amount covered the workers’ monetary claims, which centered mostly on underpayment of wages, maternity claims and non-payment of 13th month pay, non-payment of holiday pay premiums and overtime pay.

Single Entry Approach Desk Officers (SEADOs) of DOLE’s field officers and divisions handled 3,295 requests for assistance (RFA) last year.

Of 3,295 RFAs, 3,292 were disposed or an accomplishment of 99.91 percent disposition rate.

SenA is a program that settles disputes between workers and employers without going to the labor court to avoid additional expenses and time.

Under SenA program, the conflicts arising from employer-employee relationships are expected to get settled within 30 calendar days through conciliation and mediation proceedings. (FREEMAN)