Metro to absorb workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) 7 yesterday said the Metro Ayala management has assured the agency that its more than 500 workers will be absorbed by its different branches in Cebu.

Dole 7 Acting Assistant Director Lilia Estillore said that because the fire can be considered a calamity, the management can apply the “no-work-no-pay” rule. However, the workers can still receive their pay by availing themselves of leaves of absence under the law.

Dole 7 labor officers went to the fire scene to gather information about the plight of the workers of Metro Ayala and of the other establishments that were temporarily closed due to the disaster.

Estillore said that although Dole 7 can propose a livelihood program for victims of disasters, they will still look for funds to give to Metro Ayala workers.

“If their employers will absorb the workers in their other branches, they will not be provided with livelihood anymore because they will not be considered displaced,” Estillore said.

Estillore said that under the labor law, the workers will not lose their length of service, and they are still entitled to benefits and supervision by Dole 7.

If the management will pay the separation pay of those who cannot be absorbed because of, for example redundancy, it cannot avoid paying the labor benefits due to the workers, Estillore said.

Those who will receive separation pay because they cannot be absorbed can be given livelihood assistance by Dole 7.