Cebu Security Guards Get 3.4-M in Back Wages

It pays to guard your labor rights.

This holds true for 104 security guards who received P3.4 million in monetary award after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) issued a compliance order to their employer who failed to pay their benefits.

DOLE-7 Regional Director, Atty. Alvin M. Villamor said the amount represents the company’s payment for wage differential, uniform allowance and overtime pay for affected workers.

He said that concerned security guards previously lodged a complaint at the DOLE which prompted the Department to conduct inspections at the Vulcan Security Agency, which is stationed at the Apo Cement Corporation in the City of Naga, Cebu.

The DOLE issued a compliance order last April compelling the employer to pay the guards the amount they were due.

Workers collectively received PHP319, 020.00 for wage differential; PHP2,963,727.60 for overtime pay; and PHP210,900.00 for uniform allowance.

The monetary award that each received ranged from PHP7,000.00 to as high as PHP55,000.00.

Jimmer C. Delfino, 39, a security guard for 11 years, expressed gratefulness to DOLE for the immediate action it has taken leading to the resolution of their complaint.

Delfino, who lives with his family in Pangdan, Naga, Cebu was among the workers who received more than PHP55,000.00, the biggest amount awarded.

“Lipay kaayo ko kay nahatagan ug action ang among problema. Unya kining kwarta nga akong nadawat daku kaayo ni ug ika-tabang namu alang sa among mga panginahanglanon,” he said.

He added that he would send part of the money to his parents in Bicol for the repair of their house. The rest, he said further, would be used by her wife for their sari-sari store.

Major Eddie Casas, project manager of Vulcan Security Agency at Apo Cement Corporation, assured that there is no stoppage of duty among the 104 concerned security guards as they are still employed by the agency. (DOLE)