Nine poultry shop workers in the Philippines successfully claimed a total of PHP 744,496 in unpaid labor dues through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Single Entry Approach (SEnA), a dispute resolution process that fosters amicable and speedy settlements.
The settlement, reached in less than a month, awarded workers between PHP 10,000 and PHP 200,000 each for underpaid wages, 13th month pay, and overtime compensation.
The case was handled by Jessalyn F. Silla, a Single Entry Assistance Desk Officer (SEADO), who facilitated a peaceful negotiation between the workers and their employer.
SEnA, established under Republic Act No. 10396, is a mandatory 30-day conciliation-mediation process designed to resolve labor and employment issues quickly, impartially, and without cost, thereby preventing the escalation into formal legal disputes.
“All is well that ends well. This is how the Single Entry Approach works,” DOLE said in the official release, highlighting its emphasis on achieving win-win outcomes for both parties.
Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. praised the resolution process and the role of SEADOs in maintaining industrial peace.
“It is our mandate of promoting a peaceful solution of labor issues,” Rodriguez said. “SEnA is designed to provide results beneficial to both parties.”
He also urged SEADOs nationwide to perform their duties with dedication to uphold workers’ rights and promote harmonious employer-employee relations.
The successful resolution demonstrates how SEnA remains an effective mechanism for securing fair labor treatment and swift justice without resorting to costly litigation.
Since its institutionalization, SEnA has become a key tool in the Philippine labor landscape, helping thousands of workers claim what is legally owed to them while preserving workplace harmony.
