Workers were impressed by the recent disposition of Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian over the abusive treatment of a factory worker last week.
Russel Manosa sought the help of Gatchalian after his employer Jasper Cheng So, owner of Nexgreen Enterprises employee, paid him his wages worth P1,056 in five and 10 centavo coins, as his separation pay over five months of service to the company.
So paid him in coins reportedly in retaliation for Manosa’s ranting about the management’s unfair labor practices and the complaint he filed at the barangay office.
Using his local chief executive power and authority, Gatchalian confronted So two days later. He discovered the company with various general labor standards violations such as underpayment of minimum wage, non-payment of wages, non-payment of overtime pay, and holiday pay.
Manosa was also not given his rightful separation pay amounting to P55, 614 over almost 6 months of service.
Gatchalian ordered So to pay the remaining balance and ordered the company to shut down due to several labor violations and for operating without the mayor’s permit until it complies with the regulations.
Gatchalian then extended food assistance to Russel and his co-employees and facilitated the immediate employment of the displaced workers.
Maraming humanga kay Mayor Rex dahil sa kanyang mabilis at tamang aksyon sa kaso ni Russel. Sa Facebook and Twitter pa lamang, umapaw ang mga genuine netizens (hindi mga trolls) sa ginawa nyang ito.
The country’s biggest group of unions the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno said Mayor Gatchalian did the right thing in standing up for Russel and acted quickly in exercising his local chief executive prerogative on the alleged abuses committed by the employer.
This action of the mayor, he said, will further encourage the faith of the workers in Valenzuela local government authority and earned their trust in the local governance process. We urge workers similarly situated to not just rant on abuses but also to file a complaint.
The union is hoping that this incident would remind abusive employers in Valenzuela city and the whole country to take care of their workers by complying with the labor regulations and abide by the occupational safety and health standards faithfully.
Ganitong mga uri ng track record leadership accomplishments ang inaasam ng mga manggagawa at kanilang pamilya sa panahon ngayon. Sukang suka na sila sa mga madaldal at puro porma na mga pulitiko na wala namang konkretong pakinabang sa taumbayan.
Kung genuine and true leader nga itong si Mayor Rex, may kalalagyan siya sa puso ng mga mamamayan!
