Labor cases on the rise as economy flounders

Labor cases involving non-payment of wages and other violations have risen to an alarming level due to the worsening economy.

Data from the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) show that such cases have surged to 30,000 as of June, and the number is expected to double by yearend.

NLRC chairman Roy Señeres said the number of cases filed with the agency’s regional arbitration branches (RABs) has increased alarmingly because of the country’s continuing economic crisis.

"If the trend continues, the RABs would be handling a total of 60,000 cases or 17,000 more than last year," Señeres said, lamenting that labor arbiters are now overloaded with cases.

Señeres noted that in 1999, a total of 43,000 labor complaints were filed with the RABs, all of which were resolved.

He said the NLRC may be unable to immediately resolve all pending cases filed this year.

"Our labor arbiters are overloaded and this is one of the causes of delay," he said, explaining that the delay usually occurs in the level of the commissioners.

Señeres said the NLRC’s 15 commissioners have normally reviewed a total of 14,000 appealed cases annually since 1998. The agency’s decisions are appealable to the Court of Appeals and finally to the Supreme Court.

However, Señeres gave assurances that the NLRC are carrying out reforms to swiftly resolve all pending cases.

Señeres said the NLRC is also focusing its efforts on mediation and conciliation of labor cases. In fact, labor arbiters were able to amicably settle 31 percent of the cases they handled, added.

He expressed optimism that in the coming months, every labor arbiter would be able to amicably settle seven of every 10 labor complaints.