A factory worker in Valenzuela has asked for help from Mayor Rex Gatchalian after he got P1,056 for a two days' work all in five and 25-centavo coins.
The worker identified only as Russel received two bags of coins for his work at Next Green Factory, Gatchalian said. It was Russel's cousin who reached out to the mayor online, tagging him in her post.
Russel worked two shifts and got paid P528 for each of the 12 hours, all in coins, said Gatchalian.
"Sobrang pambabastos po talaga 'to sa pinsan ko na ganito 'yung pinasahod puro sentimo binigay sa kanya, 12 hours 'yung duty tapos P528 lang pasahod sa kanila, sobrang nakakabastos po talaga 'tong ginagawa nila!", she said on Facebook.
Coins can be used as payment. However, the Bangko Sentral limits the use of one, five, 25 and 50-centavo coins for payments not exceeding P100. It also caps the use of P1, P5 and P10 peso coins for payments not exceeding P1,000.
Gatchalian said he called for a meeting with the company owner and Russel to discuss the complaint. Only the company representative and Russel appeared in the meeting held on Monday. The representative said it was an accident.
"Aksidente raw 'yung pagbibigay ng ganung coins kasi raw alay daw 'yun sa temple kasi Chinese yata 'yung may-ari, nadampot daw accidentally at naibigay sa worker," Gatchalian told DZRH.
Russel denied it, saying his supervisor told him upfront that the two bags of coins contained his salary. He tried to return it but the company won't accept it back.
"Sabi [ni Russel], marami kasing kasalanan 'yung kumpanya at nag-ingay siya katulad ng hindi binabayaran na night differential, walang overtime pay, underpayment, non-remittance of benefits so nung nag-ingay na raw siya sa barangay, ito na raw ang kaparusahan sa kanya," the mayor said.
He called for another meeting with the owner on Wednesday to further discuss the complaint. Gatchalian is now reviewing the company's files.
"Gusto ko ng due diligence. Pinaakyat ko lahat ng file nitong kumpanya, gusto ko malaman kung may prior violations pa. Doon natin makikita ang ugali e kung paulit-ulit bang ginagawa, masama ba itong employer."
The mayor said he would also help Russel find another job.
