Seven workers of a beverage distribution business managed to avail of their money claims after their request for assistance have been successfully settled by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board Regional Branch No. 1.

 

Mr. Florante M. Deompoc, together with six (6) others, filed their RFAs through the SEnA Program. They are employed by Midel Enterprises, a soft drinks distributor within the province of La Union owned and managed by Mr. Lawrence Delim having a total of 47 employees.

 

Said workers filed their claims on July 31, 2013. Issues involved underpayment of wages, non-payment of 13th month and holiday pay, claims on service incentive leave, and non-remittance of salary deductions on premiums due to SSS, HDMF, and PHIC.

 

During the August 5, 2013 conference with SEADO Felicidad Q. Corpuz, Mr. Delim questioned the requesting parties why they did not approach him regarding their issues and instead “filed a case against him.” But SEADO Corpuz clarified that the RFA is in no case a labor suit against him but rather a plain form of assistance to both of them.

 

Delim pointed out that there is no underpayment of wages because they are being paid more than the minimum that is required by the government from their business category. He also contended that said workers are not entitled for any separation pay due to abandonment of work assignments without due notice.

 

Despite the above circumstances, SEADO Corpuz gave the options to Mr. Delim to either provide the workers financial assistance or separation pay. Mr. Delim decided to provide the former. On top of that, all other claims were also agreed upon to be complied with by Mr. Delim. One of the complainants, Mr. Al Christian Cruz, requested that Delim will shoulder 50% of his recent hospital bills due to being unable to claim Philhealth assistance for lack of contribution resulting from Delim’s non-remittance to which the latter agreed to upon the former’s presentation of his bill’s official receipt.

 

On August 15, 2013, Corpuz facilitated the awarding of money claims to Deompoc and company covering all their financial benefits less all their financial obligations to their employer. With the inclusion of half of Mr. Cruz’ hospital bills at P4, 095.00 and after deducting a total of P10, 605.07 worth of cash advances and shortages, the workers received a total amount of P57, 877.33

 

(Lester B. Panem)