FORMER DRIVER CLAIMS RETIREMENT PAY THROUGH DOLE BATANGAS E-SENA

LIPA CITY, BATANGAS – A 65-year-old worker who availed of the single-entry approach (SEnA) to settle his labor concern has received Php 80,000.00 in monetary award.

The retiree, intending to inquire about the proper applicable laws that govern retirement pay in the country, sought the assistance of the officer of the day on duty last January 13, 2025.

“Sabi ko, sa tagal ko na sa kanila. Kaya ako lumapit sa inyo ay hindi ako iniintindi, binabalewala nila [ako],” the worker narrated.

After learning about his right as a worker at a compulsory age of retirement, he filed his request for assistance under the SEnA, an administrative approach providing a speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure of all labor concerns with the aim of preventing full-blown labor cases.

“Ininterview kami at maganda naman, inasaikaso kami. Ilang araw lang naman [ang inabot]. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganoon,” he stated.

The assigned SEnA Desk Officer, Ms. April Rose Magpantay then coordinated and validated the concern of the worker to the responding party. During the call, the subject company representative inquired about the Retirement Pay Law and vowed to settle the claims of the worker. 

A few days after the intervention of the SEnA Desk Officer, the worker confirmed the receipt of the monetary claims for his retirement pay amounting to Php 80,000.00.

“Sa edad kong ito, 65 [na] ako. Ngayon pa lang ako lumapit sa DOLE. Ang aking taos pusong pasasalamat at madali ang prosesong nangyari…Salamat sa Diyos at may makakatulong pa pala sa amin,” he remarked.

Retirement pay is a benefit provided under Republic Act No. 7641 or the Retirement Pay Law which grants workers of a minimum age of 60 for optional retirement and 65 for compulsory retirement the benefits of retirement pay provided that they served the company for not less than five years. Several conditions also apply depending on the nature of work as well as the existence of collective bargaining agreements in the workplace.

Aside from the claim for retirement pay, workers may also raise issues on labor standards violations and other concerns arising from the employer-employee relationship.