THE Department of Labor and Immigration has allowed the over 30 employees of Western Equipment, Inc. to seek another employer in 15 days.
The workers lost their job when their company decided to close shop on June 1.
“We feel relieved with this, but then of course we still worry because we have families back home,” said one of the employees.
Philippine labor representative Araceli A. Maraya said WEI’s owner had not been communicating with her office to settle the issue.
“There’s no communication whatsoever with the owner at this time,” she said.
According to one complainant, WEI owner Wong Chu King is on island.
“We understand that he’s still here,” the former employee said.
Under the rules, when a person gets employed within 15 days, a temporary work authorization will be issued accordingly. DOLI is also looking into the employees’ bonding claims.
The complainants want to be reimbursed for the refundable deposits or bonds which the company deducted from their previous wages.
The transfer of work memorandum came after the employees petitioned the department last week to grant them temporary work authorization.
WEI employees said they were informed about the company’s closure only on May 31.
