CAGAYAN de Oro City — A labor coalition is urging the Supreme Court to grant full backwages and other benefits to a worker it says was illegally dismissed, arguing that the recent ruling should provide complete relief to employees who lose their jobs unfairly.
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and the NAGKAISA labor coalition welcomed the Supreme Court's decision recognizing that Ariel Carpio's dismissal must be examined for its legality, but said the ruling should go further by ordering his reinstatement and full backwages.
FFW President and NAGKAISA Chair Atty. Sonny Matula said workers who are illegally dismissed are entitled under the Labor Code to reinstatement without loss of seniority rights and payment of full backwages.
"Justice must not only speak—it must resound," Matula said in a statement Friday.
The labor group also encouraged Carpio to seek reconsideration of the ruling, saying previous findings that recognized Great Value as a legitimate contractor should not automatically apply to his case.
"Every labor controversy must be decided based on its own facts and evidence," Matula said.
According to FFW, Carpio and several co-workers were transferred from Green Era Biotech to a manpower agency in 2017 before they organized a union and sought regular employment.
The group argued that the transfer, followed by disciplinary actions, raises concerns that the workers' constitutional right to self-organization may have been undermined.
FFW also disputed claims that Carpio committed serious misconduct due to repeated absences, saying he had explained that he was suffering from illness and recurring toothaches and had informed his supervisors.
The labor coalition stressed that many minimum-wage earners cannot afford regular medical consultations, making it unreasonable to expect workers to always present medical certificates for every illness.
Matula said labor laws should consider the realities faced by ordinary workers, especially those dealing with job insecurity and financial hardship.
The coalition maintained that the Supreme Court's recognition of Carpio's illegal dismissal should ultimately result in the full remedies guaranteed by law, including reinstatement and payment of backwages.
