The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the province reminded employers Thursday to follow the dismissal process and provide the necessary social benefits of their employees to avoid labor cases.
Luis Evangelista, DOLE field officer in Palawan, said during the Kapihan hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that his office has been receiving complaints regarding illegal dismissal, delayed or non-payment of 13th-month pay and other labor-related complaints.
“May mga nakikita pa tayo na talagang nagvi-violate d’yan. Katulad ng 13th month pay, may mga nagbibigay pero may iba na kulang. ‘Yong mga benefits ng empleyado Social Security System (SSS), Pag-Ibig at PhilHealth, lahat ‘yan tinitingnan ng DOLE,” Evangelista said.
He said employers “should follow due process in the dismissal of their employee’s which means they should observe the two notice rule – memorandum and notice of termination.”
“Hindi outright ang pagtanggal sa empleyado na nagkamali lang, dahil lang nagalit ka, o dahil lang hindi mo nagustuhan ang ginawa niya. Kahit lagi ‘yang absent o nagnakaw dapat dumaan sa two notice rule hindi ‘yong agad-agad tatanggalin mo. Una, magbaba ka ng memo na bigyan mo sya ng pagkakataon na magpaliwanag then second notice ang base na assessment ng paliwanag nya, ‘yon na ang notice of termination,” he pointed out.
Evangelista also said when complainants refuse to continue with their cases, they will remain unresolved.
He encouraged employees not to be afraid so they can help correct what is wrong in their work.
“Minsan may natatanggap si DOLE na complain na ang kompanya na ganito ay hindi nagpapasuweldo ng tama, P250 lang instead na P320 which is ‘yong minimum. Ngayon kapag pupuntahan na ng inspector, hindi naman nagsasabi na underpaid sila kaya wala kaming magawa. Hindi naman namin pwede ipilit na underpaid sila. Maraming instances na ganyan na hanggang reklamo lang pero hindi na tatayuan,” he said.
Evangelista also called on all employees to report all violations of their rights to ensure compliance.
 “Kapag may reklamo ‘wag silang matakot na pumunta sa opisina. Ang ginagawa naman ng DOLE ay nagpapadala kami ng notice sa employeer na magcomply and kapag series of notice namin ay hindi sya nagrespond ay possible na mauwi sya sa labor case, doon na,” he added.
Meanwhile, Evangelista believes Congress should pass a law eliminating contractualization in the country.
“Hindi mawawala ang contractualization hangga’t walang batas na nagsasabing bawal ito. May Executive Order pero mas mabigat kung batas kaya tingin ko dapat magpasa ang mga mambabatas ng ganito,” he said.
