Factory hit for paying worker in coins

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Rex Gatchalian has reprimanded a factory in Valenzuela for paying a worker for two days’ work P1,056 in five and 10-centavo coins.

The plastic hose factory Next Green “stripped the dignity” of factory worker Russel Mañoza when he was paid in centavos, as if to tell him his worth as a worker is measured in coins, Gatchalian told The STAR yesterday.

“It saddens me if it’s done intentionally. It’s worse than physical abuse. You’re telling him he’s worth in centavos. Removing a person’s dignity is even worse than physical battery,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said he will meet with the owners of the company today to pave the way for an investigation into whether or not to suspend or revoke the factory’s business license.

The mayor said he felt “offended” for the factory worker, who resigned from his job following the incident.

The company will be investigated for violating a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas circular which states that coins in 1, 5, 10-, and 25-centavo denominations can only be legal tender in amounts not exceeding P100.

City hall will also investigate the factory worker’s claim he was paid in coins to spite him for speaking out against the company’s labor practices, Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said the factory worker told him he twice asked the management to reimburse the coins in cash but was denied.

The mayor said the burden of proof lies on the management, whose representative earlier told the mayor that the coins were mistakenly paid to the worker.