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Worker’s award in labor case remains unpaid for 6 years
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Posted on Aug 17 2004
After more than six years, a farmer who was awarded unpaid wages and damages in an administrative labor case claimed that he has yet to receive actual payment.
The situation prompted Abdul H. Mollah to elevate his concern before the Superior Court, asking for the enforcement of the administrative order issued by the then Department of Labor and Immigration as early as Feb. 1998.
Mollah, represented by lawyer Joe Hill, filed a civil action against his former employer, Reynaldo M. Cing, saying the defendant continues to ignore the DOLI order.
Mollah now wants interest added to the monetary award based on the DOLI order, plus costs incidental to initiating the court action.
Court documents showed that Mollah lodged a labor complaint at DOLI in April 1997, claiming unpaid wages. He also accused his employer of breach of contract.
The Labor Division conducted an administrative hearing later that year, which resulted in the Feb. 1998 decision in favor of Mollah. The DOLI awarded him $1,100 for unpaid wages, $800 for liquidated damages, and $828.48 for attorney’s fees and costs.
Hill said Cing failed to appeal the administrative order within the prescribed 15-day period, which made the Labor’s ruling final. Cing, however, refused to pay the monetary award assessed against him.
