RESOLVING workplace disputes is about to become faster, more accessible and hassle-free after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) updated its guidelines for its conciliation-mediation process.
In a statement, DOLE announced updating the guidelines for its Single Entry Approach (SEnA), a system designed to quickly and fairly resolve labor issues without the need for expensive and lengthy legal proceedings.
“These improvements were developed to ensure a more efficient and worker-friendly dispute resolution process,” said DOLE.
“DOLE seeks to resolve labor disputes fairly, efficiently, and without unnecessary costs,” it added.
Under the new guidelines, workers now have greater flexibility in filing a Request for Assistance (RFA) as they can be submitted at the DOLE office closest to the worker’s residence instead of needing to be filed near the worker’s place of employment.
Another significant change, the DOLE said, is the simplification of representation rules by allowing workers who are unable to file their RFAs personally due to distance or incapacity to send authorized representatives to act on their behalf.
The Department said it is also introducing the Assistance for Request Management System (ARMS), a digital platform that allows workers and employers to file, track, and resolve disputes online.
The updated rules have also been extended to cover platform workers, freelancers, and employees under contracting arrangements.
Data from the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) showed that it has processed 83,836 RFAs in 2024 alone.
This has resulted in some P2.9 billion in monetary claims benefiting 58,212 workers, said DOLE.
