There are information on the record which dispute the claim of the respondents that the complainants abandoned their job. In abandonment, the intent to return to the job is absent, but here, that was manifested as the desire of all. And they submitted their grievances, almost immediately, after they were terminated. They just allowed the new year celebration to pass and they filed the complaint. It was prepared almost one month after the complaint was filed with this Office.
Indications are, that the respondents terminated the complainants' employment and illegally at that.
There was no cause on the part of the complainants to deserve such action. Obviously, this procedure was not undertaken. On the other hand, it is something for thought that the dismissal came right after the complainants made demands for the correct payment of their benefits. That makes the dismissal all the more uncalled for. Respondents are further directed to pay the complainants their 13th month benefits for 1990, the claim for salary differential must be set aside because the respondents' application for exemption is still pending action before the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board.