The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has simplified its conciliation-mediation process through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) system, which aims to immediately address labor disputes without resorting to costly and protracted legal actions.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the enhancements were made after discussions with labor organizations, employers, and government entities to create a more effective and employee-centric dispute resolution mechanism.
“The revised guidelines provide employees with enhanced flexibility in submitting a Request for Assistance (RFA). In the past, RFAs were required to be filed at a location near the worker’s workplace,” Laguesma said.
Laguesma said they can now be submitted at the nearest DOLE office from the worker’s residence, streamlining the process and improving accessibility.
“Additionally, the new regulations broaden the scope to include platform workers, freelancers, and those engaged in contracting arrangements, guaranteeing that they have a defined and organized method for addressing labor-related issues,” Laguesma said.
In 2024, the DOLE in collaboration with the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), handled 83,836 RFAs, leading to P2.9 billion in monetary claims that benefited 58,212 workers.
Laguesma said the recent changes aim to make dispute resolution quicker and more effective.
“Through the use of technology and improved accessibility, DOLE is committed to addressing labor disputes in a fair, efficient manner while minimizing unnecessary expenses,” he said.
