MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), reminded Filipino workers that they cannot be dismissed or terminated from their jobs without valid legal grounds.
NLRC Commissioner Hernan G. Nicdao issued the reminder to keep workers informed about their rights as provided under the Labor Code of the Philippines, particularly on security of tenure, a constitutionally protected right.
"It aligns with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen labor protections, expedite justice for workers, and uphold fairness in termination and separation cases," added Nicdao.
Nicdao saidthat termination or severance from service is permitted only for just causes such as serious misconduct or fraud, or authorized causes including redundancy, retrenchment, retirement, labor-saving measures, and serious illness, and only after a due process has been observed.
Under existing Philippine labor laws, he pointed out, dismissal without a valid cause and legal ground was"illegal,"which willhold the employer to liabilities such as full backwages, reinstatement, and potentially moral and exemplary damages.
Employers must provide separation or retirement pay when job loss is not due to the worker’s fault. In cases of redundancy, workers may receive one month’s salary for each year of service, while retrenchment or illness cases require at least half a month’s salary for each year of service.
To help workers resolve disputes quickly, the Labor Department offers the Single Entry Approach (SEnA), where trained mediators assist parties in settling cases amicably before they escalate to formal arbitration.
If mediation fails, workers may file formal cases with the NLRC, with free legal assistance available from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) at the regional and sub-arbitration branches. Those who win illegal dismissal cases may receive reinstatement with back wages or separation pay if returning to work is no longer feasible.
Despite handling thousands of cases each year, NLRC maintains nearly full compliance with mandated case timelines, resolving most disputes within six to nine months, delivering timely justice for workers.
Workers seeking help on dismissal, separation pay, or workplace rights may visit NLRC offices nationwide or consult its official website (nlrc.dole.gov.ph) and Facebook page (facebook.com/nlrcofficial).
