Monday, September 29, 2008 Councilor reminds dailies of ordinance
He warned continual violation will be dealt with accordingly, especially that the respective marketing departments of the concerned publications were already informed of the measure.
City councilor Eduardo Rama said that while many newspapers and other publications have complied with the ordinance, he noticed at least one that continues to defy the measure.
“Na-estorya na nako sila. Ingon ang taga marketing nga mo-comply sila, pagtan-aw nako karon (Friday) nagkadaghan na man hinoon (I’ve talked to their marketing staff. But when I checked the newspaper, it’s still there),” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
“Lain pud ba kay maingnan unya ta sa uban nga ni-comply sila unya wala ta kabadlong nga naa gihapoy wala nituman (Others might think we are not doing our job),” he said.
The City last year declared it unlawful to publish or cause the publication of a notice in dailies, magazines, periodicals and similar media informing the public that an employee is no longer with them.
Such notices, though, are allowed if the phrase: “The above employee or employees have not committed an infraction to the employer pursuant to company policies or union security clause, sufficient to warrant dismissal” are also written in bold and capital letters.
According to the measure, it is also unlawful for employers to publish notices until an illegal dismissal case is finally resolved.
A fine of P5,000 is supposedly imposed on erring companies and newspapers other similar media.
Rama said he will file a resolution next week reminding local publications of the ordinance, which he authored to protect the employees’ reputation and dignity and uphold the general welfare and social justice.
Reputation
Rama said dismissed employees still have the right to hold on to whatever good reputation and dignity is left of him.
They still have friends, relatives and have future employers to look forward to, he said.
But some employers needlessly and unjustly publish in the newspapers and in other reading materials notices stating that a certain employee has been dismissed, causing him or her embarrassment and humiliation.
Although an employer, in publishing these notices, want to stop dismissed employees from further using the name of the company to “unlawfully collect money” from customers or clients, Rama said the employees also have a reputation to protect. (RH)
