After citing the Philippines as one of worst: Global union body asked to probe recent cases of workers repression

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) asked the global union body, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), to investigate recent cases of violent dispersals of strikes and harassment of striking workers. The ITUC had listed the Philippines as among the worst countries for workers in its 2018 Global Rights Index.

“If the ITUC report had noted very recent developments like the violent dispersal of the strike at NutriAsia and the harassment of picketlines at Lakepower Converter and Dong Seung in the Cavite export processing zone, the Philippines might even rise from being number 8 to number 1 in the list of worst countries,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

Magtubo was referring to the police dispersal last week of the picketline at the condiments giant NutriAsia that led to the arrest of a dozen workers and the wounding of several more. While in the strike at the electronics factory Lakepower Converter, two women workers were hurt when company and ecozone security guards repeatedly attacked the picketline in the dead of the night last December 2017. In the strike at the garments factory Dong Seung last month, ecozone guards tore down placards in the picketline and prevented striking workers from entering the Cavite export processing zone.

“All these incidents of impunity against labor rights at NutriAsia, Lakepower and Dong Seung are in blatant violation of the DOLE-PEZA-PNP Guidelines in the Conduct of Security Personnel During Labor Disputes. The guidelines was a reform enacted in response to findings by the International Labor Organization High Level Mission in 2009. Unfortunately the guidelines remain a piece of paper,” insisted Gerry Rivera, head of the newly established Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa.

Last Monday, some 200 members of PM and Kapatiran marched to the NutriAsia factory in solidarity with the striking workers. The groups are calling for a boycott of NutriAsia products such as Datu Puti, Silver Swan, UFC and Mang Tomas.

Tomorrow mediations meetings are to be held to resolve the pending disputes at Dong Seung and Lakepower. The DOLE National Office is calling the company and union of Lakepower to a meeting due to the termination of all seven union officers this month despite an agreement forged last April to reinstate all striking workers. Also the National Conciliation and Mediation Board in Cavite is meeting the management and union of Dong Seung because of the dismissal of 16 union officers.

“The mass termination of union officers at Lakepower and Dong Seung are black-and-white examples of union busting by companies. Workers in NutriAsia, Dong Seung, Lakepower and others are organizing in order to improve wages and working conditions but the response of employers is to suppress freedom of association,” concluded Rivera.

June 20, 2018

Mass suspension of union officers at garments supplier to Macy's and Ann Taylor

Management suspended for 30 days last week all 16 union officers of a garments factory in the Cavite economic zone. The mass suspension of unionists was a escalation of the union busting schemes of the Korean-owned garments firm Dong Seung Inc. Dong Seung supplies to global garments brands Macy's and Ann Taylor.

The union filed a case for union busting and mediation was scheduled last March 26. The dismissed unionists and their supporters marched inside the economic zone last March 21, the day after their suspension. A rally was also held by the workers of Dong Seung at the national office of the Labor Department yesterday.

The mass suspension follows on the heels of harassment of workers who joined or are supporting the union. Unionists were deprived of availing loans or were forced to withdraw support in return for access to loans. Union leaders were transferred to different production lines and a union officer was demoted from mechanic to sewer.

Striking Cavite women workers protest for Labor Secretary intervention

Women workers of the electronics firm Lakepower in the Cavite ecozone held a protest today at the DOLE main office to call on Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello to intervene and resolve the protracted dispute. The Lakepower workers have been on strike for more than two months now. The strike commenced after management refused worker’s demands that the termination and suspension of union officers and members be stopped.

The rally is also part of a series of protests by labor groups who are calling for the signing of an executive order to abolish contractualization and action by the DOLE on labor disputes at Lakepower, Coke and Philippine Airlines. The DOLE main office will also be the site of rallies on February 23 (Friday) by KMU and on February 26 (Monday)  by the Nagkaisa labor coalition.

The strike has dragged on as management has refused to take back the workers unless they are subjected to disciplinary action for taking part in the strike. Management has hired striker replacements since the strike began and continues to operate.

Immediately after the strike started last December 7, the striking women workers were repeatedly harassed by company and ecozone guards. Company guards, export zone security guards and other men wearing ski masks but clad in ecozone police uniforms repeatedly tore down placards and makeshift tents at the picketline. Two women workers—Maricar Orque and Magdalena Peña—were hurt in the commotion that followed the forcible dismantling of the picketline.

Unrest has festered at Lakepower since last year. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to numerous cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers also complained of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Workers formed a union in June last year in a bid to resolve various workplace grievances such as verbal harassment, health and safety, and excessive quota. In response, management interrogated workers individually regarding their union activity. Union leaders were given new work assignments and overtime work was denied unionists and instead given to contractual employees. Three line leaders were forced to resign since they were suspected union supporters.

Photos of the rally can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10156031672514323

February 22, 2018

FOA issue at electronics supplier Lakepower Converter

Women workers of the electronics company Lakepower Converter Inc. at the Cavite export zone have been on strike since December 7 and were repeatedly harassed by company and ecozone guards.

Company guards, export zone security guards and other men wearing ski masks but clad in ecozone police uniforms repeatedly tore down placards and makeshift tents at the picketline. The men arrived in motorcycles and bearing side arms. Two women workers—Maricar Orque and Magdalena Peña—were hurt in the commotion that followed the forcible dismantling of the picketline.

An ecozone firetruck along with security guards went to the picketline area. They also set up barricades at two points leading to the factory and refused entry to workers going to the picketline. All these are violations of the official “Guidelines on the Conduct of Police and Security Personnel During Labor Disputes.”

The strike commenced after management refused worker’s demands that the termination and suspension of union officers and members be stopped.

Unrest has festered at Lakepower for the last few months. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to numerous cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers are also complaining of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Workers formed a union around June this year in a bid to resolve various workplace grievances such as verbal harassment, health and safety, and excessive quota. In response, management interrogated workers individually regarding their union activity. Union leaders were given new work assignments and overtime work was denied unionists and instead given to contractual employees. Three line leaders were forced to resign since they were suspected union supporters.

The union filed a case for union busting and unfair labor practice. In the mediation proceedings convened by the Labor Department, management promised to respect freedom of association and acceded to union demands that the company post a memo that it will not interfere in the right to unionize and prohibit management personnel from talking to workers about union activities.

However, management interference did not stop but merely changed its form. A company union was formed at the instigation of management. The company union intervened in the union’s petition for certification as sole and exclusive bargaining agent. As a result, the petition was dismissed but a certification election was ordered Labor Department.

This October, a certification election was finally held and the real union garnered more votes than the company union. This was despite management interference in the elections such as granting “cash productivity bonuses” to favored workers which was effectively vote buying for the company union.

After elections, management continued its discriminatory behavior against unionists. Unionists were served disciplinary charges on flimsy grounds such as allegedly taking too much time in the restroom while members of the company union were left untouched.

With the looming declaration of the real union as the certified bargaining agent for the workers, the company then terminated the union president and five other union officers and members on the basis of flimsy reasons. Afterwards management also suspended scores of other union officers and members for alleged infractions going back months ago. These discriminatory acts precipitated the December 7 strike.

Lakepower is 100% Taiwanese owned according to the records of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and exports all of its production to Coil Technology Corporation (CTC) that is based in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.

Lakepower and CTC are suppliers to Texas Instruments, Arrow Electronics, Recom Power and A.M. Components. Striking women workers are calling on these companies to enforce their commitment to respect the right to unionize and freedom from discrimination all along their supply chain.

December 30, 2017

Ecozone workers protest continuing harassment of women strikers

Workers from the Cavite Economic Zone, together with their supporters, staged a rally at the main gate of the zone in protest at the continuing harassment of striking women workers of electronics company Lakepower Converter Inc. Yesterday, there was another incident of ecozone guards trying to prevent strikers from entering the ecozone. Another mediation meeting is scheduled tomorrow between the union and management.

The group Partido Manggagawa (PM) also called for the resignation of the head of the Cavite Economic Zone for being responsible for the harassment of striking women workers that resulted in injuries to two strikers and the imposition of “martial law” in the country’s biggest export processing zone. The picket today was the second solidarity action since last Friday.

“The violent attacks on women strikers by armed security guards contracted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) lie squarely in the hands of Atty. Norma Tañag, head of the Cavite ecozone. We demand her resignation,” asserted Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

Maricar Orque and Magdalena Peña, both workers of Lakepower Converter Inc., a Taiwanese-owned electronics company, were hurt in the commotion that followed the dismantling of the picketline last Thursday night. Lakepower workers went on strike that afternoon after mediation meetings convened by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board collapsed as management refused workers demands that the termination and suspension of union officers and members be stopped.

Magtubo added that “Tañag has imposed martial law in the Cavite ecozone with guards of the Jantro security agency and the PEZA police as her goons and thugs. Workers and supporters who want to bring food, water and supplies to the strikers are stopped and prevented from proceeding to the picketline. Jantro guards repeatedly intimidate strikers who put up protest placards and signs at the picketline. All of these are blatant transgressions of the DOLE-PEZA-PNP Guidelines on the Conduct of Personnel During Labor Disputes.”

PM assailed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for inaction despite the incidents of violence at the Lakepower picketline. “While the DOLE celebrated its 84^th anniversary yesterday in Bulacan, Cavite workers were facing violent repression by PEZA personnel. DOLE has the power to assign a peacekeeping team at the Lakepower picketline and the responsibility of convening an inter-agency committee to prevent violence during labor disputes. Pero natutulog sa pansitan ang DOLE habang dinadahas ang kababaihang manggagawa,” insisted Magtubo. ###

Video of PEZA guards harassing women workers can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/videos/10155838242124323/?hc_ref=ARTTkrYEnSNaX8zLsqvJjTHW0fqVZkd0rLkd6ZcJXEG5KWCuqBd6VZCyyY7SaWbQRbY&pnref=story

Photos of the picketline can be accessed here:

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10155840604999323

Photos of the rally at the Cavite ecozone can be accessed here:

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10155837768874323?pnref=story

December 11, 2017

Cavite ecozone head asked to resign as women workers strike enters 3rd day

The group Partido Manggagawa (PM) today called for the resignation of the head of the Cavite Economic Zone for being responsible for the harassment of striking women workers that resulted in injuries to two strikers and the imposition of “martial law” in the country’s biggest export processing zone. Yesterday afternoon PM and other groups rallied at the Cavite ecozone in support of the women strikers and vowed to hold more solidarity actions next week.

“The violent attacks on women strikers by armed security guards contracted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) lies squarely in the hands of Atty. Norma Tañag, head of the Cavite ecozone. Her resignation would be a fitting celebration of International Human Rights Day tomorrow,” asserted Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

Maricar Orque and Magdalena Peña, both workers of Lakepower Converter Inc., a Taiwanese-owned electronics company, were hurt in the commotion that followed the dismantling of the picketline last Thursday night. Lakepower workers went on strike that afternoon after mediation meetings convened by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board collapsed as management refused workers demands that the termination and suspension of union officers and members be stopped.

Magtubo added that “On the eve of human rights day, Tañag has imposed martial law in the Cavite ecozone with guards of the Jantro security agency and the PEZA police as her goons and thugs. Workers and supporters who want to bring food, water and supplies to the strikers are stopped and prevented from proceeding to the picketline. Jantro guards repeatedly intimidate strikers who put up protest placards and signs at the picketline. All of these are blatant transgressions of the DOLE-PEZA-PNP Guidelines on the Conduct of Personnel During Labor Disputes.”

PM assailed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for inaction despite the incidents of violence at the Lakepower picketline. “While the DOLE celebrated its 84^th anniversary yesterday in Bulacan, Cavite workers were facing violent repression by PEZA personnel. DOLE has the power to assign a peacekeeping team at the Lakepower picketline and the responsibility of convening an inter-agency committee to prevent violence during labor disputes. Pero natutulog sa pansitan ang DOLE habang dinadahas ang kababaihang manggagawa,” insisted Magtubo.

Unrest has festered at Lakepower for the last few months. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers are also complaining of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Last November 16, the Lakepower workers held a protest at the Cavite ecozone against company abuses. The protest was the third such picket over the last month at the country’s biggest export processing zone. Earlier, garments workers held protest actions against “factory shutdown-cum-union busting.” After two protests and a strike threat, the union leaders at the Korean-owned garments factory Sein Together Phils. Inc. were eventually accepted back to work.

Photos of the solidarity action yesterday at the Cavite ecozone can be accessed here:

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10155833112704323

December 9, 2017

PEZA slammed as 2 women workers hurt in picketline attack

Security guards contracted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) joined surprise attacks on a picketline at the Cavite Economic Zone that resulted in injuries to two women workers. Maricar Orque and Magdalena Peña, both workers of Lakepower Converter Inc., a Taiwanese-owned electronics company, were hurt in the commotion that followed the dismantling of the picketline around 11:30 pm last night. The workers union and the group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the PEZA for conniving with management in four separate instances of violent harassment of the strike.

“Company guards, personnel of the Jantro Security Agency hired by PEZA and other men wearing ski masks but clad in PEZA police uniforms repeatedly tore down placards and makeshift tents at the picketline last night and early morning. They first attacked at 7:00 pm, again at 11:30 pm, once more at 1:00 am and finally at 5:00 am. The men arrived in motorcycles and bearing side arms. Two of the motorcycles used had plate numbers DA 21752 and DC 86314,” explained Mercy Tanginan, president of the Samahan ng Manggagawa sa Lakepower Converter Inc.

The strike at Lakepower started at 3:00 pm yesterday after mediation meetings convened by the National Conciliation and Mediation Board collapsed as management refused workers demands that the termination and suspension of union officers and members be stopped.

Tanginan added that “A PEZA firetruck along with Jantro guards went to the picketline area. The Jantro also set up barricades at two points leading to the factory and refused entry to workers going to the picketline.”

Rene Magtubo, PM national chair, declared that “All these are violations of the DOLE-PEZA-PNP Guidelines on the Conduct of Personnel During Labor Disputes. We hold the PEZA and Atty. Norma Tañag, administrator ng Cavite ecozone, responsible for the violent attacks on the women workers strike. Aside from the direct involvement of PEZA police, firefighters and Jantro guards in the harassment and attacks, PEZA has administrative control of the ecozone and is liable for such repeated incidents of violence.”

Unrest has festered at Lakepower for the last few months. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers are also complaining of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Last November 16, the Lakepower workers held a protest at the Cavite ecozone against company abuses. The protest was the third such picket over the last month at the country’s biggest export processing zone. Earlier, garments workers held protest actions against “factory shutdown-cum-union busting.” After two protests and a strike threat, the union leaders at the Korean-owned garments factory Sein Together Phils. Inc. were eventually accepted back to work.

“Workers are unionizing to improve their working conditions but are being met by extreme interference from capitalists unwilling to share the fruits of production,” asserted Magtubo.

December 8, 2017

Welga ng kababaihang manggagawa inatake, 2 sugatan

Tatlong beses na inatake kagabi at ngayong madaling araw ng mga gwardiya at naka-ski mask na kalalakihan ang welga ng mga kababaihang manggagawa sa Cavite ecozone. Sugatan sina Maricar Orque at Magdalena Peña, parehong manggagawa ng Lakepower Converter Inc., isang Taiwanese-owned electronics company sa loob ng Cavite Economic Zone sa bayan ng Rosario.

“Pinagtulungan ng mga gwardiya ng kompanya, Jantro Security Agency at kalalakihang nakatakip ang mukha pero nakasuot ng uniporme ng pulis na hablutin ang mga placards at trapal sa aming picketline. Una silang sumugod noong 7:00 ng gabi, umulit uli ng 11:30 ng gabi at muli nitong 1:00 ng madaling araw. Nakasakay sila mga motor, may dalang mga baril at umatras lang nang kinuhanan ng litrato ng mga manggagawa. Ang isa sa motor na ginamit ay may plakang DA 21752,” paliwanag ni Mercy Tanginan, presidente ng Samahan ng Manggagawa sa Lakepower Converter Inc.

Nagsimula kahapon ng 3:00 ng hapon ang welga ng mga manggagawa matapos na walang kasunduang maabot sa miting na ipinatawag ng Labor Department. Hiling ng mga manggagawa na itigil ang tanggalan at suspensyon ng mga officers at members ng unyon. Subalit ayaw pumayag ng management.

Dagdag ni Tanginan, “Pumunta din sa picketline ang firetruck ng PEZA at Jantro guards na inuupahan ng PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority). Nagbarikada din ang Jantro sa paligid ng pabrika at tinaboy ang mga manggagawang pupunta sa picketline.”

“Paglabag sa DOLE-PEZA-PNP guidelines ang mga ito. Pananagutan ng PEZA at ni Atty. Norma Tuñag, administrator ng Cavite ecozone, ang marahas na pag-atake sa mapayapang welga ng mga kababaihang manggagawa. Bukod sa tauhan ng PEZA ang Jantro guards, sila ang may kontrol sa lahat ng nangyayari sa loob ng ecozone,” giit ni Rene Magtubo, tagapangulo ng Partido Manggagawa (PM), na sumusuporta sa mga kababaihang manggagawa.

Ilang buwang nang kumukulo ang diskuntento ng mga kababaihang manggagawa sa Lakepower bunga ng mga pang-aabuso. Nirereklamo nila ang pagtanggal sa pintuan ng banyo upang tiktikan ang mga manggagawa. Gayundin ang mahigpit na patakaran sa pag-ihi na naging sanhi ng maraming kaso ng urinary tract infection. Halos lahat ng manggagawa sa Lakepower ay kababaihan.

Ayon kay Magtubo, “Nagbubuo ng unyon ang mga manggagawa upang mapabuti ang kanilang kalagayan sa paggawa. Subalit tinatapatan sila ng walang habas na union busting ng mga kompanya na ayaw partihan ang mga manggagawa ng bunga ng kanilang pagpapawis.”

December 8, 2017

Cavite women workers go on strike

The women workers of an electronics factory in Cavite walked off their jobs this afternoon as a make-or-break meeting between management and the union ended without an agreement. The workers of Lakepower Converter Inc., located at the Cavite Economic Zone, declared a strike due to union busting and unfair labor practices of the company.

“We tried for more than a week to resolve the issues of illegal termination and suspension of unionists and other discriminatory acts against workers but management was not willing to settle the grievances in good faith. Thus we have no choice but to go on strike,” declared Mercy Tanginan, president of the Samahan ng Manggagawa sa Lakepower Converter Inc.

She explained that “We demand a permanent stop to the harassment and discrimination of unionists. The pending termination of six unionists and suspension of other officers and members must be totally scrapped. Workers’ grievances must be settled.”

Dennis Sequena, a Cavite coordinator of the militant Partido Manggagawa (PM), which is assisting the Lakepower workers, averred that “PM chapters and Cavite ecozone unions will give 100% support to the Lakepower workers. Ang laban ng isa ay laban ng lahat.”

Unrest has festered at Lakepower for the last few months. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers are also complaining of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Last November 16, the Lakepower workers held a protest at the Cavite ecozone against company abuses. The protest was the third such picket over the last month at the country’s biggest export processing zone. Earlier, garments workers held protest actions against “factory shutdown-cum-union busting.” After two protests and a strike threat, the union leaders at the Korean-owned garments factory Sein Together Phils. Inc. were eventually accepted back to work.

“Workers are unionizing to improve their working conditions but are being met by extreme interference from capitalists unwilling to share the fruits of production,” asserted Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

December 7, 2017

Cavite women workers all set for strike

The women workers of an electronics factory in Cavite gave the go signal for a work stoppage after a successful strike vote last Tuesday. The strike can be held as early as December 6 and paralyze the production at Lakepower Converter Inc., located at the Cavite Economic Zone.

“We are earnestly preparing for a strike against the union busting and unfair labor practices of management. Only the unity and action of workers can stop the vicious cycle of abuse and repression in our factory,” declared Mercy Tanginan, predisent of the Samahan ng Manggagawa sa Lakepower Converter Inc.

A mediation called by the Department of Labor and Employment yesterday to avert the strike did not push through as the company asked to reschedule. Meanwhile the company stated that the termination of the union president and five other unionists has been temporarily deferred.

Tangian responded that “We demand a permanent stop to the harassment and discrimination of unionists. The pending termination of six unionists and suspension of other officers and members must be totally scrapped. Workers’ grievances must be settled. If not, the strike will push through.”

Dennis Sequena, a Cavite coordinator of the militant Partido Manggagawa (PM), which is assisting the Lakepower workers, averred that the next mediation on December 5 will be a make-or-break meeting. He said that “If management does not respond to workers demands then the strike is a go. PM chapters and Cavite ecozone unions will give 100% support to the Lakepower workers. Ang laban ng isa ay laban ng lahat.”

Unrest has festered at Lakepower for the last few months. Among workers grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women. They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. Workers are also complaining of excessive quota and the exclusion of unionists from receiving Christmas packages.

Last November 16, the Lakepower workers held a protest at the Cavite ecozone against company abuses. The protest was the third such picket over the last month at the country’s biggest export processing zone. Earlier, garments workers held protest actions against “factory shutdown-cum-union busting.” After two protests and a strike threat, the union leaders at the Korean-owned garments factory Sein Together Phils. Inc. were eventually accepted back to work.

“Workers are unionizing to improve their working conditions but are being met by extreme interference from capitalists unwilling to share the fruits of production,” asserted Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

December 2, 2017

Women electronics workers in Cavite on brink of strike

Women workers of the Taiwanese-owned electronics factory Lakepower Converter Inc. in the Cavite Economic Zone filed a notice of strike today over union busting and unfair labor practice. The union president and five other unionists were terminated last week on the flimsiest of charges while scores of other union officers and members have been suspended for a week.

“The mass termination of unionists is just the latest episode of a pattern of union busting schemes by management. Since Lakepower workers started organizing some months ago in a bid to redress workers’ grievances, the company has been discriminating against known unionists,”stated Mercy Tanginan, president of the Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Lakepower Converter Inc.

 The Department of Labor and Employment immediately set a conciliation meeting between the union and the company on December 1 to avert the planned strike. More than a week ago, the Lakepower workers held a protest at the Cavite ecozone against company abuses. Among their grievances is the removal of the door of the women’s restroom so that the company can spy on workers. Almost all of the 200 workers in the factory are women.

They are also outraged at the unreasonable limits on the use of the restroom which has led to cases of workers suffering from urinary tract infection. The dispute over the restroom is just the tip of the iceberg of worker grievances at Lakepower.

Aside from the dispute over the women’s restroom, workers are also complaining of excessive quota, discrimination against unionists resulting in suspensions and their exclusion from receiving Christmas packages.

“Management reneged on an agreement reached a few months ago to redress our grievances. Before, we complained that the restroom door was always kept open. Through mediation, they agreed to close the door to protect the privacy of workers. But now, they removed the door entirely,” explained Tanginan.

Workers unrest at the Cavite ecozone is brewing. The protest by Lakepower workers was the third such picket over the last month. Earlier, garments workers held protest actions against “factory shutdown-cum-union busting.” After two protests and a strike threat, the union leaders at the Korean-owned garments factory Sein Together Phils. Inc. were eventually accepted back to work.

Partido Manggagawa, which is assisting the Lakepower workers, is calling on the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority to intervene.

“Workers are unionizing to improve their working conditions but are being met by extreme interference from capitalists unwilling to share the fruits of production,” asserted Rene Magtubo, PM national chair. ###

Photos of the protest by Lakepower workers can be accessed at:

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10155777536464323

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10155777572314323

November 27, 2017