SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday raised concern over the length of time it takes to resolve labor cases, saying that while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) have improved their internal timelines in recent years, delays across the system continue to disadvantage ordinary workers.

The senator asked the department to provide a complete timeline of how long cases actually take as they move across different levels of review.

He also noted that while DOLE’s internal figures show faster action at the labor arbiter and commission levels, workers still face a long wait once the cases enter the courts.

“Give me the timeline from the filing of the complaint to the Labor Arbiter, to the Commission, then to the Court of Appeals. Kasi may decision ang Supreme Court na kailangan pang dumaan sa Court of Appeals muna before going to the Supreme Court,” he said.

Cayetano said the long process puts a heavier burden on workers who cannot afford months without income while their cases drag on.

He stressed that employers, especially large companies, have the financial capacity to withstand long disputes, leaving workers at a structural disadvantage.

“Marami talagang nawawalan ng gana na maghabol kasi walang kinikita habang umaandar ang kaso,” he said.

The senator said the updated data he requested will help determine what reforms need to be implemented to ensure that workers receive timely resolutions when filing legitimate complaints.

He added that long-standing delays in the labor justice system can be addressed through a dedicated body such as the Executive-Legislative Labor Commission (LabCom) – one of his priority measures in the 20th Congress – to serve as the country’s main policy and coordination mechanism for worker protection and other key labor concerns.