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Saturday, August 06, 2005
Reolsyl workers to be paid; bus line unlikely to reopen
By Jenny Molbog-Mendoza
THE 105 workers of Reolsyl Liner Inc., the region's oldest bus line, will be paid their wages, but no hope is in sight for the company to re-open. The reason: the money to be used to cover the workers' unpaid wages will be the proceeds from the sale of all bus units.
During the second hearing of the two parties at the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 11 office on August 1, they have both agreed that the management would give the employees their more than one month unpaid salaries (which totaled P607,467.97) and likewise reimburse the cash deposits of conductors and drivers within a period of three months.
The 105 workers include the 68 drivers and conductors, five office staff, four utility personnel, five dispatchers, 11 mechanics, and 12 inspectors.
Dole 11-Labor Standards Employment Division (LSED) chief Quirino David said Friday the bus company's management, represented by Concepcion Caingles, has assured the workers that "the payment would really come in three months".
David said at the start of the hearing last Monday, the workers asked for a few minutes of discussion among them, without the presence of the Dole 11 representatives.
After their exclusive meeting, the workers said they have already decided to give the management enough time to settle their obligations to them, only if their separation pay and wage adjustment based on their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) be given to them as well within the three-month period.
"'Yon lang talaga ang pakiusap ng workers na sana kasama na rin sa babayaran ng managment ang separation pay at wage adjustment based on their CBA. The fact na magbabayad na sila ng separation pay, sa tingin ko, ay hindi na mago-operate uli ang Reolsyl. Although ang ibinigay nila sa amin ay Notice of Temporary Shutdown lang," he said.
Dole 11 Regional Director Ma. Gloria Tango earlier explained that once a company submits a Notice of Temporary Shutdown, it is expected that it would resume its operation after six months.
The Dole 11 has been able to settle the case of Reolsyl and its workers only in two hearings, on July 25 and August 1.
The Reolsyl Liner, Inc. is the oldest bus company in the region, being in operation for more than 30 years already.
It officially stopped its operation on July 14 due to financial difficulties.
To date, the Dole 11 is lining up various initiatives that would address the needs of the displaced workers, which will include job referrals, trainings that will make them entrepreneurs or employable again, and employment counseling.
(August 6, 2005 issue)
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