DOLE helps over 1,667 workers through SEnA

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE-7), through its Single Entry Approach (SEnA) program, has distributed at least P55.1 million in monetary awards to 1,667 workers affected by labor issues.

From January to September 2024, DOLE-7 and its field offices addressed 1,862 requests for assistance (RFAs) with a successful settlement of 1,435 cases.

For SEnA Unit alone, they were able to handle 1,511 RFAs with a settlement rate of 96.52 percent.

Based on the their data, majority of those who have experienced labor issues and received monetary awards came from Cebu Province and the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-lapu.

Meanwhile, Single Entry Assistance Officers in Negros Oriental handled 227 RFAs wherein 190 were already settled resulting in P6.2 million monetary awards to 207 workers.

On the other hand, Bohol distributed a total of P1.1 million after settling 71 of 83 RFAs, achieving an 87.65 percent settlement rate. While in Siquijor, 36 workers were benefited, resulting in P568,235.83 in awards.

Employees facing concerns or disputes with their respective employers can file a Request for Assistance (RFA) at the DOLE regional offices in the area where their employer operates.

While for unions or federations representing local chapters, requests should be directed to the office where the union is registered.

With this program, labor issues covered include termination and suspension of employment, claims for unpaid wages, and cases involving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), unfair labor practices; closures, retrenchments, redundancies, temporary lay-offs; and/or other issues arose from employer-employee relationship

If a settlement isn’t reached within 30 days, parties can take their requests to higher offices or choose by pursuing voluntary arbitration.

Under Republic Act No. 10396, the SEnA program offers an administrative solution to provide a speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure of all labor issues or conflicts, thereby preventing escalation into formal labor cases. — (FREEMAN)