SOME 35 workers under a labor agency have filed a case in an effort to pressure the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco) into “absorbing” them into its regular workforce. The National Conciliation and Mediation Board would start hearing the complaint for unfair labor practice on Monday. Nicandro Borja, regional vice president of the labor organization ALU-TUCP in Northern Mindanao, said the case was filed by the workers this April 12. The complainants are all working as meter readers of the Cepalco Energy Services Corp. (Cesco), a labor agency. Borja said the workers have alleged that the firm violated Department Order 174 that prohibits the practice of labor only contracting. Borja said Cesco was declared by the Supreme Court in June  2016 as an “Only Labor Contracting” agency in violation of DO 174. By May 11, Borja said, Cepalco would end its contract with Cesco, and that would displace the 35 meter readers. “Anang adlawa, ma-jobless ang 35 ka mga meter reader sa Cepalco kon  dili pa sila ma-absorb or maegular sa mother company,” he said. Borja said all they were asking is for Cepalco to “absorb” the meter readers as regular workers. (nitz arancon)