THE NATIONAL Labor Relations Commission-Davao recorded a case disposal rate of 90 percent as of August this year.
On Monday’s Kapehan sa Davao, Lawyer Nelia Tancio-Sedillo, executive labor arbiter of NLRC Regional Arbitration Branch, said the figure excludes the cases set to be filed.
“The NLRC-RAB Davao has consistently exceeded the nine-month process cycle with the target which is 84%,” the lawyer added.
Sedillo said there is a process cycle time of a maximum of nine months where labor arbiters are given time to resolve the cases including acquiring jurisdiction over the respondents and serving summons.
She noted that the resolution rates for the past four years increased to 93% in 2020 and 2021, 94% in 2022, and 98% in 2023. She said the opposing parties voluntarily appeared and settled during arbitration.
As of August, the office received 1,277 cases, 860 cases were resolved, and 417 are still pending, excluding the new cases from September to December.
Sedillo said most of the cases were termination disputes, challenging dismissal from service of workers from the private sector, money claims of employees not connected with the company by virtue of resignation, OFW cases, unfair labor practices including organized establishments, legality and strikes, and lockouts.
Security and manpower agencies, as well as direct employment situations, are mostly involved. Illegal dismissal of workers comprised 80% of the cases filed.
Cases of underpayment of wages reportedly declined due to the visitorial and enforcement power of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Photo by Bing Gonzales
