Bello calls out security agency for not paying workers’ proper wages

MANILA, Philippines —Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Thursday called out a security agency in Quezon City for allegedly not paying its workers their proper wages and 13th month pay.

In a Palace briefing, Bello recalled how the security guards of their subdivision who are employees of a certain Marban Security Agency told him about receiving unlawful wage and 13th month pay.

Bello also claimed that the said security firm is owned by a Quezon City councilor, whom he refused to identify.

“December 24 pumunta ‘yung mga gwardiya sa akin…casually I asked them, ‘natanggap niyo na ba ang 13th month pay niyo?’ Alam mo sinagot ng tatlo, ‘sir kulang’. So its not the mandated 13th month pay,” Bello said.

“And then I ask them ‘binabayaran ba kayo ng tamang sweldo’, ‘sir hindi sir’. That is the agency called Marban Security Agency and I think it is owned by a councilor of Quezon City,” he added.

The Labor chief went on to ask the firm to shape up and follow the law, noting that he already asked the Department of Labor and Employment’s regional director in Metro Manila to conduct an inspection of the firm.

“Beware because I just directed our regional director to inspect you today and give me a report within the day Marban Security Agency. Biro mo, yung mga guards nila are working for more than eight hours hindi pa tama ang sweldo, pagsasamantala ‘yon e,” he said.

“Kung nakikinig ka man, may ari ng Marban, please comply, do your obligations, pay your workers,” he added.

INQUIRER.net is trying to get the side of the security agency.  /muf