Retrenched GMA employees can file complaint, labor exec says

Retrenched workers of GMA Network who question their dismissal can file a complaint before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), the Department of Labor and Employment said yesterday.

“If workers are uncomfortable or unconvinced about the management’s claim that their positions are redundant, they could file a complaint of illegal dismissal with the NLRC,” DOLE Regional Director Lilia Estillore said in yesterday’s 888 News Forum.

Estillore said their case will be bolstered if they are forced to stop working before the notice of termination of employment.

GMA Network issued their notices to employees in their provincial stations in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Ilocos last Friday. The termination takes effect on May 30.

“We know that redundancy is the reason for the retrenchment and this will affect 18 workers in Cebu and we’re informed that it will take effect on May 30 but we’re unaware if the workers were also given notices,” she said.

In Cebu, 18 positions were considered as “redundant”: 15 from the news department, two from engineering and one in administration.

Estillore said if there is evidence that they were illegally dismissed, the employees can demand  reinstatement and compensation of  back wages.

Last Monday’s telecast of “24 Oras Central Visayas” began at its usual 5:30 p.m. time slot with anchor Bobby Nalzaro.

His co-anchor Rose Versoza was not around when the notice was issued.  She was among the 18 that were laid off. Still, Nalzaro had segment host Cecille Quibod-Castro handling the entertainment segments and reporters like Alan Domingo, Chona Carreon, Vic Serna, Nikko Sereno and Lou-Ann Mae Rondina delivered live reports.

Before the news telecast ended, Nalzaro read the Cebuano translation of GMA’s official statement that was published in news reports.

“Walay estasyon nga gipasirad-an. Ang maong estasyon magpadayon isip satellite selling stations. Taliwala ani nga hitabo magpabilin gihapon among pagtahod ug hatod sa dagkong balita ug paghatod sa dagkong balita alang sa mga televiewers sa  Central and Eastern Visayas (There were no stations closed. The station continues to function as satellite selling stations. Contrary to what has transpired we will continue with our job to deliver the news to our viewers in Central and Eastern Visayas),” Nalzaro said./with Silliman University intern Andrea D. Lim