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If you are encountering labor disputes in Bacolod City and are uncertain about the appropriate course of action, the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) provided by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) offers an initial avenue for resolving issues such as unpaid wages, illegal dismissal, or unsettled benefits without the immediate need for court intervention.
What is SEnA?
The Single Entry Approach (SEnA) is a free, administrative process offered by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to address labor-related issues quickly and fairly. It involves a 30-day conciliation-mediation period between the employer and employee, aiming to resolve disputes without going to court.
The SEnA mechanism is available across the Philippines, including Bacolod City, and is one of the first steps many workers take when facing labor issues.
What labor issues are covered by SEnA?
Labor dispute issues that may be settled through SEnA include, among others:
- Termination or suspension of employment issues;
- Claims for any sum of money, regardless of amount;
- Intra-union and inter-union issues, after exhaustion of administrative remedies;
- Unfair labor practices;
- Closures, retrenchments, redundancies, temporary lay-offs;
- OFW cases; and
- Any other claims or issues arising from employer-employee relationship (except for occupational safety and health standards, involving imminent danger situation, dangerous occurrences /or disabling injury, and/or absence of personal protective equipment).
How to file a SEnA request in Bacolod City?
To start the SEnA process, an employee must file a Request for Assistance (RFA) in person with the nearest DOLE office in Bacolod City or online via the DOLE’s official portal.
What happens during mediation?
A SEnA Desk Officer from DOLE will facilitate the mediation between both parties. The goal is to reach a mutual settlement within 30 days.
If both sides agree to a resolution, a Settlement Agreement is signed and becomes binding. If no agreement is reached, the case may be referred to the appropriate agency, such as the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) for further action.
When to consult a labor lawyer in Bacolod City?
Although SEnA is designed to be employee-friendly and non-adversarial, there are situations where it helps to understand your legal rights more clearly. Workers may consider consulting a labor lawyer in Bacolod City when:
- The issue involves significant unpaid compensation or benefits
- There is a potential violation of labor laws requiring litigation
- The case is complex and may proceed beyond the SEnA process
- The employer refuses to cooperate or appears to act in bad faith
The SEnA program of DOLE provides an essential path for workers in Bacolod City to pursue justice and resolve employment issues swiftly and peacefully. It is a worker-friendly process aimed at protecting employee rights while promoting fair employer-employee relations.
For individuals unfamiliar with the legal process or unsure how to proceed, seeking in-person or online legal advice from a labor lawyer in Bacolod can help clarify the best course of action especially if the dispute escalates beyond mediation.*
Jay Erwin V. Balabag, CPA 