P25M aid released under program assisting OFWs

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment-7 and its attached agencies assisting Overseas Filipino Workers with complaints against their employers have released monetary aid of more than P25 million for the month of July 2016.

In a statement, DOLE-7 regional director Exequiel Sarcauga said the agency, as well as other partner agencies assisting in the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) services for OFWs has released a total of P25,384,165.83 for the monetary benefits of affected workers.

Sarcuaga said that amount has benefited 388 workers.

DOLE-7 handled a total of 1,059 Requests of Assistance (RFAs) with 58.73 percent disposition rate, wherein for the month of July, the maximum number of days to settle the RFAs received lasted for seventeen days. 

"This is testament that our Single Entry Approach Desk officers are doing their best to provide immediate resolution to the complaints received from our customers," Sarcauga said.

Among the complaints received under SEnA were mostly violations in general labor standards such as non-coverage or non-remittance of SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, underpayment of wages, non-payment of holiday pay, among others.

The SEnA Program is an administrative approach to provide a speedy, impartial, inexpensive and accessible settlement procedure for all issues and complaints arising from employer-employee relations to prevent them from escalating into full blown disputes.

Under the approach, all labor and employment disputes shall undergo a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation process to effect settlement among the contending parties. (FREEMAN)