‘Matalas’ policy at NLRC

WHO can blame those who have given up on the pathological corruption that permeates every level of government bureaucracy?

Government corruption is widespread and commonplace.

It creeps into the most inconspicuous government bureau.

But who can forgive such practices when committed at the expense of our most disadvantaged kababayans?

Such is the case at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

The despicable graft practices at NLRC do not spare the downtrodden workers, who barely earn survival wage rates and endure slave-like work conditions.

Workers facing illegal termination and harassment, as well as seeking unpaid salaries and benefits, come to my office in droves everyday for assistance.

We appropriately refer them to the NLRC Complaints Section.

NLRC, a quasi-judicial agency attached to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is mandated to adjudicate labor and management disputes through compulsory arbitration.

Some complainants keep their fingers-crossed, hoping against hope to receive what was denied to them by their employers. Others, however, know better.

Upon being referred to NLRC, they give up hope right then and there. They have reason to doubt NLRC, which has gained notoriety for the graft practices of its clerks, labor arbiters and sheriffs.

Their modus operandi is set in motion when a labor case is inevitably ruled in favor of the employee-complainant.

Some labor arbiters, in fact, call up the company-respondent and inform them ahead of the pre-execution proceedings, a practice called “timbre.”

That’s why in a lot of cases, the company-respondent’s assets, bank accounts and properties are stashed away before they are garnished. Many of these, like employment agencies, merely changed their names and addresses.

Once the writ of execution is issued and transmitted to the sheriff, the latter will similarly call the company-respondent before the writ is actually served.

In many cases, it takes months for a writ of execution to serve if the company-respondent comes across with the dough demanded by the sheriff.

I see that these abusive NLRC aribiters and sheriffs still refuse to abide by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd’s “Daang Matuwid” policy. It is also in direct defiance of NLRC Chairman Gerardo Nograles’ call for “restoration of integrity and fairness.”

Nograles’ subordinates would rather subscribe to “Daang-Matalas” policy! –Erwin Tulfo, Manila Times