THE GOOD LIFE

by: MEGS S. LUNN

HOW DO YOU SPELL CHARACTER?

There is still justice for the unjust. I commend the Department of Labor and Employment for their vows to protect our workers and laborers against employers who are underestimating their workers and terminating them or in the words of the labor code – were “illegally dismissed”, just because they want to.

At times, I wonder why some business owners/employers have to be unjust to their workers in hiring them with salary they do not deserve, just because they are underemployed and the latter has no choice because they were born poor and needed the job, so be it. In layman’s term, underemployment is when you are employed on the position that is not relevant to your course and training, however, most of the time you have the skills; while unemployment is the absence of work opportunity.

Recently, DOLE’s decision to a couple of employees of a business establishment in town vindicated them. At first, they were maligned and were undermined at the same time; however, because of the conviction of good people from DOLE, they absolutely won the case and at the same time were happy to unexpectedly hear that they were at the same time compensated for their loss and damages. On the other hand, the owner was also held liable to pay the latter’s attorney’s damages it was incurred during the proceedings of the case.

There were evidences presented by the complainants that they were terminated without regard on the part of respondents to due process. It was even indecent of the owner to dismiss them orally on the ground of business losses and as a way of a drastic measure undertook by them to save them from paying the workers to avoid further losses.

This would serve a lesson for both the business owner and the complainants or any other employees, too. For business owner not to underestimate the workers and at the same time, to give what is due to the worker. For the workers to make sure not to trust a verbal agreement, better yet, they signed a contract in black and white and to make sure they are well compensated of their work. Otherwise, instead of saving money, as business owner, you will be in trouble with the law and at the same, lose your reputation as good business investors. Hopefully, as business owner you will not also result to paying under the table to save your face, and belittle the poor workers.

Remember our avid readers, “actions, looks, words and steps form the alphabet by which you may spell character.”/TE