At A Glance
- DOLE assisted 191 workers last September with legal concerns.
- Support was provided through the Public Assistance and Complaints Unit (PACU).
- Beneficiaries included PWDs, senior citizens, and clients from Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Region III, and nearby provinces.
- 132 cases were simple; 59 required in-depth evaluation.
- Key issues: money claims, termination complaints, management prerogative, social welfare benefits, and other labor concerns.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) assisted in September this year 191 individuals as part of its efforts to provide free legal support for workers and employers facing labor-related concerns.
In a statement, DOLE said its Public Assistance and Complaints Unit (PACU) intensified nationwide services through its roster of lawyers.
The unit offered immediate consultations on cases involving unpaid wages, illegal dismissal, workplace disputes, and other labor issues.
PACU’s outreach covered vulnerable groups, including 16 persons with disabilities (PWDs) and 23 senior citizens.
Most walk-in clients came from Metro Manila, while others traveled from Calabarzon, Region III, and nearby provinces.
Data showed that 132 concerns were classified as simple matters, while 59 required in-depth legal evaluation, reflecting a mix of straightforward and complex disputes.
Money claims and termination complaints each accounted for 21 percent of the cases, followed by management prerogative at 14 percent and social welfare benefits at 11 percent.
The remaining 29 percent involved separation pay, workplace grievances, floating status, minimum wage compliance, temporary layoffs, unauthorized deductions, and pending cases before the National Labor Relations Commission.
“Through the PACU, the department affirms its commitment to fostering just and equitable employment relations to ensure that every worker in the country has access to fair, timely, and humane labor protection,” DOLE said.