Restaurant employees decry ‘illegal dismissal’

MORE or less 15 contractual employees in different branches of Ocean City restaurant in Iloilo City filed a complaint for alleged illegal dismissal before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) on Sept 18, 2018.

NLRC is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The termination, which took effect Sept 15, was due to their alleged failure to meet the standard required by their respective positions.

The complainants claimed that they were terminated in less than six months without “due notice.”

“Gintawag lang nila kami kag ginpapirma sang letter nga wala kami kuno kami nakapasar sa standards sang company. Pero wala man lang nila kami gingaan notice. Nakabutang to sa amon contract nga dapat may ara pa notice for the first and second offense before kami i-terminate,” acceding to one of the complainants who requested anonymity.

They stressed that they have not done any mistake that would become ground for their termination.

“Gina-ubra man namon ang amon maubra para sa restaurant,” another complainant said.

They further claimed that they were not given a copy of their contracts as well as their pay slips.

The employees also said they were told that there is a need to retrench workers as the company is allegedly losing money.

They appealed that the employer will allow them to return to work and finish their six-month contract.

In a phone interview with reporters, Ocean City restaurant General Manager Ernesto “Jun” Borromeo Jr denied all the allegations.

Borromeo clarified that the workers were terminated because they failed the periodic evaluation of probationary employees.

He added that that they have the grading system as basis, thus, there is no need for a notice of offense.

“Based on our evaluation, they have not met the standards. Their probationary contract is not exceeding six months. So if their performance is not good, we can immediately drop them,” Borromeo said.

Borromeo said those who complained might misunderstood the restaurant’s policies.

On the allegation of non-issuance of the copy of contracts and pay slips, Borromeo said he will check the matter with their administration office.

The manager also assured that the restaurant is not losing.

The NLRC scheduled a joint conference with both parties on Sept 24.

Borromeo said they are willing to appear before the NLRC for the conference.

“Mahulat kami nga ipatawag sang Labor kag ma-present man namon amon side. Waay man guro problema. Kay ang amon ya stand gina-ubra man namon ang husto,” he added.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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