DOLE SEnA: 30-Day Mandatory Conciliation

The 30-day settlement conference for unpaid wages, illegal dismissal, and benefits before filing a formal labor complaint.

Republic Act No. 10396; DOLE Department Order No. 151-162deadlines to watch

Who this is for: Workers with unpaid wages, delayed final pay, or illegal dismissal claims, and employers wishing to settle without arbitration.

Step by step

1Filing the Request for Assistance (RFA)A worker or union files a free one-page Request for Assistance at any DOLE field office, NLRC branch, NCMB, or online via the DOLE e-SEnA portal.
2Notice of ConferenceThe assigned SEADO issues notices to both the employee and employer scheduling the initial conciliation-mediation conference within 3 to 5 working days.Notice issued within 1 working day of RFA receipt.
3Conciliation-Mediation SessionsThe SEADO facilitates discussions to help parties reach an amicable settlement. The proceedings are speedy, non-adversarial, and strictly confidential. Offers of compromise cannot be used as evidence in future litigation.Maximum 30 calendar days total process duration.
4Settlement Agreement (If successful)When terms are agreed upon, the SEADO drafts the Settlement Agreement. Any monetary settlement is ideally paid immediately or according to a strict installment schedule. Upon compliance, the case is concluded with full quitclaim.
5Referral to Formal Arbitration (If failed)If conciliation fails after 30 days, or if the employer fails to appear after two notices, the SEADO immediately issues a Referral to the appropriate body (usually the NLRC Regional Arbitration Branch for illegal dismissal or money claims).

Not legal advice

Pangkalahatang impormasyon lamang ito para sa edukasyon — hindi ito legal advice, at hindi ito sinuri ng abogado. Sinikap naming tama ito ayon sa batas na binanggit, pero para sa sarili mong kaso, kumonsulta sa abogado o sa Public Attorney's Office (PAO).

The whole process

Drawing diagram…

Watch out for

All labor complaints must undergo the 30-day SEnA process before the Labor Arbiter will entertain a formal complaint, except for notices of strike/lockout and petitions for certification election.
Statements and admissions made during SEnA conferences are privileged communication and cannot be used in position papers before the Labor Arbiter.
If an employer reneges on a signed SEnA Settlement Agreement, the worker can apply directly to the DOLE Regional Director for a writ of execution.