LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet Electric Cooperative Employees Labor Union (BELU) is supporting the rural electric cooperative’s newly approved table of organization and early voluntary retirement program contrary to insinuations that some personnel were against the implementation of the two controversial initiatives.
In a manifesto of support, the labor union pointed out that their members understood the primary purpose of the two programs through a series of consultations and activities prior to their full implementation.
It can be recalled that the BENECO Board of Directors approved Resolution No. 112, series of 2013 which operationalized the new table organization and the cooperative’s early voluntary retirement program beneficial to the delivery of efficient and effective service of the cooperative to the consumers.
According to the manifesto, the members of the labor union pointed out the one year salary additional compensation aside from the gratuity which were granted to those who availed of the early voluntary retirement program is to allow the separated employees to start new challenges in their lives, especially in looking for alternative sources of income to sustain the living condition of their families.
Members of the labor union claimed they understood the early voluntary retirement program as not forced considering that three of those who signified their interest to avail of the program changed their minds and are now still working with the cooperative.
Furthermore, the manifesto stated the members of the labor union are not requesting some personalities to question the validity of the two key programs that were implemented this year that significantly reduced the work force of the rural cooperative since they understood the wisdom of the program.
Some 35 employees of the rural electric cooperative were able to avail of the early voluntary retirement program which was earlier approved by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
It was learned that Beneco’s new table organization and early voluntary retirement program was initially approved by the NEA but the additional one year salary compensation for those who availed of the program is still pending with the NEA.
BENECO officials believe the grant of additional one year salary compensation to those who availed of the program will not deplete the financial resources of the rural electric cooperative considering that it will contribute in improving the efficiency of the cooperative in delivering services to the consumer-members.
By Dexter A. See
