The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has successfully assisted 32 farm workers from Sagay City, Negros Occidental, in claiming PHP798,967 in underpaid wages they supposedly earned from 2022 to 2025.
In a report on Friday, DOLE-Negros Occidental said the release of the workers’ monetary claims was the result of an amicable settlement reached between the two parties during the conference held on May 19 through the agency’s conciliation-mediation mechanism.
“The successful case resolution highlights the value of the DOLE’s single-entry approach (SEnA), a program designed to help workers and employers settle labor concerns through dialogue and mutual agreement,” it added.
Labor issues are addressed at the earliest possible stage, allowing parties to find practical solutions without delays and expenses often associated with court proceedings, the agency said.
The SEnA provides for a 30-day mandatory conciliation-mediation period that allows a faster and less adversarial alternative to formal litigation.
DOLE-Negros Occidental further said the program “not only helps workers obtain the benefits and compensation due to them, but also encourages employers and employees to resolve disputes in a constructive and peaceful manner”.
“By providing a venue where concerns can be heard and resolved within a reasonable period, the SEnA remains an effective tool in protecting workers’ rights while promoting harmonious labor-management relations,” it added.*PNA
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