LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III yesterday vowed to probe a company in Valenzuela City for paying in coins the salary of one of its workers.

“I have already ordered the director of the National Capital Region of the Labor Department to inspect the workplace and look into the complaints,” Bello said.

Bello said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is particularly zeroing in on allegations that the company identified as Nexgreen Enterprise is committing unfair labor practices (ULPs).

The worker named ‘Russel’ claimed his salary amounting to P1,506.00 was intentionally given in coins by the company because his employer resented his complaints about unfair labor practices in the workplace.

“If that is true, then the company is in big trouble,” Bello said.

ULPs are offenses committed by the employer or labor organization that violate the constitutional right of workers and employees to self-organization, Bello explained.

“ULP acts are inimical to the legitimate interests of both labor and management, disrupt industrial peace, and hinder the promotion of healthy and stable labor-management relations,” he said.

Moreover, ULP is a violation of both labor and management’s civil rights and a criminal offense against the State, Bello said.

“Criminal ULP cases may be filed with the regular courts. No criminal prosecution may be instituted, however, without a final judgment from the National Labor Relations Commission that an unfair labor practice was committed,” he said.

“So let’s wait for the outcome and recommendation of our regional office tasked to handle the matter. There’s due process to follow,” Bello added.

In giving salary in coins, the company could have also violated the Bangko Sentral Pilipinas (BSP) regulations, which impose a limit in using coins as legal tender. “I believe the BSP can say a lot about this aspect,” the Labor chief said.

Meanwhile, Bello called on ‘Russel’ to file a formal complaint before DOLE to boost the case against his employer.

“He can be assured that DOLE will provide all the assistance needed to give him justice,” Bello said.