Employer threatened to Sue me, but I think have no legal basis. HELP!

anonymous
This person has chosen to hide his/her identity.

Location Thailand: Ang kontrata ko ay officially terminate na last July 13, 2017; My employee offered me a new contract that starts on August 1. I decided not to continue with my new contract. I know technically that contact is not in effect yet. Nagpaalam ako sa boss ko ng maayus, instead he thretened me to sue me. Gulat ko lang, tas nag bigay xa ng option na I have to pay a month salary. Mukang hindi tama. My contract says I will only pa back a month salary if I resigned in the middle of the contract. E tapos na contact ko, adn my new contract becomes only valid next month Aug 1? What can I do, please help?


 

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Adelaimar C Arias-Jose
is a Legal expert in the Philippines
I never read your contract, so I am basing my answer on your narration. Okay?
Yes, you are right, you have a right not to sign the new contract if you don't want to work for the employer again. That is why there is a contract, you are bound only for as long as the contract is in force.
Ano ba ang nakalagay sa contract patungkol sa renewal? Meron ba?
Punta ka sa embassy ng Pilipinas sa Thailand. Ask their opinion.
Meron ka pa bang unpaid salary? Mayroon ka pa bang benefits na dapat matanggap upon the expiration of your first contract? Kailangan ka pa bang magpa-clearance?
Hindi ba't dapat kang umuwi muna kapag natapos na ang iyong contract? Before the new contract comes into force kung ito ay iyo ngang pipirmahan?
Ang passport mo ba ay nasa employer mo?
Mapipigilan ka ba ng employer mo na umuwi o pumunta sa ibang bansa?
Ang contract mo ba ay POEA-approved? O ikaw ay direct hired?
Marami kasing katanungan na dapat masagot para makapag-bigay ng sagot. Go inquire at the labor attache's office. Kung mayroong office ang Migrante International o kahit na ano'ng International Labor Organization na office sa Thailand o Human Rights organization diyan, you can ask them.
anonymous
This person has chosen to hide his/her identity.
Direct hire po ako as teacher sa isang private school dito sa Thailand. Hawak ko po ang passport ko. Ang tanging hawak lang po nila ay yung work permit na parang passport ang itsura. Ang private sch po na ito ay pag aari ng couple na Thai at pinoy. (pinay po yung wife per nag thai citizen na.) Nag da-direct hire po siya ng mga pinoy na guro hindi po siya nagpapa daan sa POEA, ganun din naman sa mga western teachers nila puro direct hire po sila. Isa po ako sa na direct hire.)

Bale po ang gusto nilang i-hold ay ang sahod ko this July. Meron po kaming bonus at the end ng contract (if we finish the contract), sinabihan naman po ako na ibibigay sa akin ang bonus pay. The only pay na hindi nila ibibigay ay yung July salary ko.

Ganito po kc nangyari. Noong mga first week of June, nag roll-on sila ng new contracts. Pumirma na ako sa new contract. Nung kalagitnaan ng June, madaming teachers ang nag rescind ng contracts nila at nag decide na wag nang tumuloy. Our employer just received the contract back. One day, I decided to visit my friend sa other school. Nalaman ng me-ari ang pag visit ko sa friend ko at pinagalitan naman ako ng bonggang bongga at nabalitaan daw na nag aapply ako sa iba. So I clarified the news na hindi naman. (Honestly, I even wanted to rescind my new contract that effects Aug 1).

Mid of July pinatawag ako sa office at bigla na lang sinabihan ako na pwede ko naman i-rescind yung new contract provided that I am willing not to be paid sa July salary ko, then katakot takot na intimidation ang ginawa nila sa akin hanggang sa nagiiyak na ako sa harapan nila at painfully volunteered na hindi ko na tatanggapin ang July saraly ko. Ganun pa man sabi nila ibibigay pa din ang bonus ko. So its contradicting kasi the only employee to received school-year bonus are those who did not resign prior to the end of contract, and I did not resign at all. I am at their disposal at the moment in time. Sinabihan na lang ako ng thai-boss ko na if hindi ako magbabayad (referring to my July salary) get a lawyer I will sue you, sabi niya.

Atty. sa mga direct hire po ba, paanu po namin maipapa validate sa POEA if ang contract na ini offer ng employer ay naa-ayon sa international labor law? - I would like to scan my contract and ipa email ko po sa friend ko sa inyo. Saan ko po ise send? - Thanks po Atty Bimbi!

About the author

Adelaimar C Arias-Jose

I am a graduate of the UP College of Law. Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines since 1995. I am currently involved in private practice in criminal, civil and labor law.
Profession: Lawyer
Adelaimar C. Arias-Jose
Office Address: #34 St. Michael Street
Philippines , Manila , Makati
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