The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) has formally requested that newly appointed Chief Justice Rodil Zalameda prioritize the resolution of long-standing labor disputes pending before the judiciary. The appeal comes amid an ongoing legal challenge regarding a P85 daily wage increase in Metro Manila. FFW President Jose Sonny Matula emphasized the urgency of the matter on Friday, November 6, noting that workers rely on daily wages and cannot afford prolonged legal delays. “Workers earn their pay everyday; hopefully, justice doesn’t need decades to reach,” Matula stated. A primary concern for the federation is a petition currently before the Supreme Court that contests a Pasig Regional Trial Court injunction. That injunction halted the implementation of the P85 daily wage hike mandated under Wage Order No. 27. The FFW is among the petitioners seeking to overturn the stay. To address systemic delays, the FFW has urged Chief Justice Zalameda to implement more rigorous monitoring of cases pending in the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. The group specifically requested measures to curb the use of repetitive or dilatory motions that prevent the final enforcement of judgments. Furthermore, the federation called for improved procedural coordination between trial courts, labor arbiters, and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). The FFW highlighted the need for clearer guidance regarding labor claims during corporate rehabilitation, insolvency, and liquidation proceedings, particularly concerning jurisdiction and the application of stay orders. Matula expressed optimism regarding Zalameda’s leadership, citing the Chief Justice’s history of authoring labor-friendly decisions. The federation stated it expects the new leadership to ensure that the constitutional mandate for the protection of labor is reflected not only in the substance of court rulings but also in the efficiency of the judicial process. “We hope Chief Justice Zalameda will bring that attention to the administration of the entire judiciary,” Matula said. “Speedy labor justice must become a reality that workers and their families can experience.”
Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune