Advisory: Undas at picketline: Workers remember their dead by fighting for the living

MEDIA ADVISORY

November 1, 2016

Contact: Dennis Sequena @ 09301803072

Workers remember their dead by fighting for the living

WHAT: Laidoff and locked out workers will spend Undas at the picketline outside the garments firm Faremo

WHEN: Today, November 1 , 2016

WHERE: Picketline at Faremo International Inc., Cavite ecozone, Rosario

DETAILS:  Workers of the garments factory Faremo International Inc. at Cavite EPZA in Rosario are spending undas at the picketline. They are now on their 6th day at the picketline. Some 1,000 workers were laidoff last October 27 as the factory shutdown and have been locked out despite their demand that the factory remain open.

Another mediation meeting is scheduled on Friday, November 4, to resolve the dispute surrounding the closure of the biggest garments factory at Cavite EPZA.

The union is alleging that the closure is illegal since it is meant to bust the union and destroy the CBA. Early this month, management filed for temporary closure and the union proposed work rotation to preserve jobs and prevents layoffs. Management ignored the proposal and responded with the permanent closure.

Faremo is owned by the Korean textile multinational Hansoll and supplies to global garments brands. A union was formed by workers at Faremo last year in a bid to redress grievances such a low pay, verbal abuse and lack of benefits. A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was concluded just last May.

Garments firm closure has anti-union, pro-endo motive--union

The closure of the biggest garments factory at the Cavite export processing zone (EPZA) is motivated by management’s desire to bust the union and replace regular employees with contractual workers according to its labor union. Faremo International Inc., located at the Cavite export processing zone in Rosario town, closed and laid off some 1,000 workers, mostly women.

“Faremo is shutting down to get rid of the union but will open again but with endo workers. This is not the first and last time that this union busting scheme was done by companies at the Cavite EPZA,” asserted Jessel Autida, president of the Faremo International Workers Association.

Autida cited the recent case of Seung Yuen Technology Industries Corp. (SYTIC) which filed a notice of closure last April to force workers who had formed a union to accept separation pay but which is presently still in operation with agency employees. SYTIC is a Korean-owned plastics company that supplies to eletronics factories. [See DOLE-NCMB record at http://co.ncmb.ph/ncmb-region-iv-a-settles-dispute-at-seung-yeun-technology-industries-corp/?print=pdf]

Autida clarified that Faremo workers are not on strike and want to work but have been locked out. He explained that they are maintaining a 24/7 picket at the factory to protest the illegal closure and union busting, and to guard against machines being taken out of Faremo. According to Autida, the union at Faremo was formed last year in a bid by workers to improve pay, benefits and working conditions and stop mistreatment like verbal abuse.

“Faremo has not presented any evidence to back its allegation that it lacks orders from its customers and so has to shutdown. It is just feigning lack of customers and financial losses. Thus we suspect that Faremo will reopen using workers who are contractual and without a union,” averred Autida.

He added that “Faremo declared multimillion losses from 2011 to 2013 without ever shutting down. But just months after a collective bargaining agreement with the union was concluded last May, it suddenly closes.”

“When Faremo first broached that they may shutdown temporarily and layoff workers, the union responded by proposing that work be rotated so that workers need not be retrenched. But such doable measures from the union fell on management’s deaf ears. It replied with a hardline position—close the factory and bust the union,” argued Autida.

The management of Faremo filed a notice for permanent closure in October 21. In response the labor union filed a union busting complaint. Faremo is a subsidiary of the Korean textile multinational company Hansoll and supplies to global garments brands.

October 30, 2016

Cavite EPZA’s biggest garments factory closes as workers allege union busting

The biggest garments factory at the Cavite export processing zone (EPZA) in Rosario shutdown yesterday but its workers are alleging that it is a union busting maneuver. The management of Faremo International Inc. filed last Friday a notice for permanent closure. In response the labor union filed a union busting complaint.

Almost 1,000 workers were laid off yesterday at Faremo, the large majority of whom are women. Faremo International is a subsidiary of the Korean textile multinational company Hansoll and supplies to global garments brands.

“We do not believe Faremo’s claim that it lacks orders from its customers and so has to shutdown. We suspect that Faremo will reopen using workers who are contractual and without a labor union,” averred Jessel Autida, president of the workers union at Faremo.

Dennis Sequena, organizer for Partido Manggagawa which is assisting the Faremo workers, said that “Faremo’s closure is tainted with bad faith. A few weeks ago, a truckload of machines were taken out of the factory. Then the list of union members including their pictures were sent to other garments factories within the Cavite EPZA in a blatant blacklisting scheme to deny unionists alternate jobs. Finally management bypassed the union and talked directly to workers to cajole them into resigning.”

The union at Faremo was formed last year in a bid by workers to improve pay, benefits and working conditions and stop mistreatment like verbal abuse. Workers at Faremo, despite years of seniority, receive just the mandated minimum wage of P356.50, well below the daily cost of living which PM estimates at P1,100 per day. Pioneers at Faremo, who have worked since the factory started, receive just P1 higher than the rest of the workers.

“Faremo workers are paid so cheap they cannot buy the clothes they make yet Hansoll is a billion dollar global company. Hansoll declared USD 1.23 billion revenues last year and a conservative target of 5% net profit,” insisted Sequena.

He added that “While Hansoll wallows in profits, Faremo declared multimillion losses from 2011 to 2013 without ever shutting down. But just months after a collective bargaining agreement with the union was concluded, it suddenly closes.”

“When Faremo first broached that they may shutdown temporarily and layoff workers, the union responded by proposing that work be rotated so that workers need not be retrenched. But such doable measures from the union fell on management’s deaf ears. It replied with a hardline position—close the factory and bust the union,” argued Autida.

Since last week, workers have held daily protests like noise barrages during break time and pickets outside the factory gate. PM has launched a campaign to support the Faremo workers.

October 27, 2016

Advisory: Another mediation to resolve closure of biggest Cavite EPZA garments firm

MEDIA ADVISORY

October 27, 2016

Contact: Dennis Sequena @ 09301803072

Workers up picketline at Cavite EPZA firm as DOLE mediates closure dispute

WHAT: Workers of the biggest garments factory in Cavite EPZA setup a picketline even as DOLE convenes another mediation meeting re closure dispute

WHEN: Today, October 27, 2016, Thursday, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: NCMB Imus @ MYP GBY Building, Bayan Luma 7, Aguinaldo Highway, Cavite

DETAILS:  Some 1,000 workers of the garments factory Faremo International Inc. at Cavite EPZA in Rosario were laidoff yesterday. Today workers are setting up a picketline even as the DOLE calls another mediation meeting today to resolve the dispute surrounding the closure of the biggest garments factory at Cavite EPZA.

The union is alleging union busting as Faremo International Inc. declared a permanent shutdown.

In the mediation meeting last Monday, the DOLE mediator is proposing that Faremo consider temporary shutdown instead of permanent closure.

The union is alleging that the closure is illegal since it is meant to bust the union and destroy the CBA. Early this month, management filed for temporary closure and the union proposed work rotation to preserve jobs and prevents layoffs. Management ignored the proposal and responded with the permanent closure.

Faremo is owned by the Korean textile multinational Hansoll and supplies to global brands such as Gap, JCPenney and Kohl's.

A union was formed by workers at Faremo last year in a bid to redress grievances such a low pay, verbal abuse and lack of benefits. A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was concluded just last May.

Advisory: Biggest garments factory in Cavite EPZA shuts down to bust union

October 24, 2016
Contact: Dennis Sequena @ 09301803072

Mediation at DOLE today:

Biggest garments factory in Cavite EPZA shuts down to bust union

WHAT: Mediation between management and union of biggest garments factory in EPZA employing some 1,000 workers 

WHEN: Today, October 24, 2016, 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: NCMB Imus @ MYP GBY Building, Bayan Luma 7, Aguinaldo Highway, Cavite

DETAILS:  The union is alleging union busting as the garments factory Faremo International Inc. located in the Cavite EPZA declared permanent shutdown. Some 1,000 workers, mostly women, will made jobless as a result. Faremo is owned by the Korean textile multinational Hansoll and supplies to global brands such as Gap, JCPenney and Kohl's.

A union was formed by workers at Faremo last year in a bid to redress grievances such a low pay, verbal abuse and lack of benefits. A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was concluded just last May.

The union is alleging that the closure is illegal since it is meant to bust the union and destroy the CBA. Early this month, management filed for temporary closure and the union proposed work rotation to preserve jobs and prevents layoffs. Management ignored the proposal and responded with the permanent closure.

Women workers demand implementation of RH Law

 

“Kababaihan ang nahihirapan habang hostage ng ibang grupo ang implementasyon ng RH law.”

 

Members of Partido Manggagawa (PM) expressed this frustration as they joined reproductive health advocates in asking the Supreme Court to lift its TRO on the implementation of RA 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

 

According to PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda, the TRO issued by the high tribunal did uphold the constitutionality of the RH law but purchase and distribution of RH supplies and were withheld prior to the formulation of new rules in granting certification to certain contraceptives.

 

“We respect the granting of due process to the petitioners but it can also be argued that the RH Law can be implemented beyond the specific supplies being objected to since there were already approved safe contraceptives available in the market prior to the enactment of the RH Law.  In other words, access to safe contraceptives can readily be made available in all RH facilities nationwide,” said Miranda.

 

Miranda said a big part of RH Law can be implemented while contested supplies are being subjected to certification and recertification by concerned agencies.

 

She added that the previous and present administration were supportive of RH Law and therefore implementation of this measure, whether in part or in whole, should not be a problem for the executive.

 

“We therefore pray to our justices that the RH Law will be given its day as soon as possible for the interest of our women, especially the for women workers,” concluded Miranda.

October 10, 2016

On DU30s 100th day: Church, labor groups call for ‘kabuhayan hindi patayan’

The Duterte administration should redefine itself despite the high approval rating it got from pursuing its ruthless campaign against drugs during the first 100 days.

The challenge was made by the Church-Labor Conference (CLC), an aggrupation of labor and church groups in the country, in a rally held at the Mabuhay Rotonda this morning, on the occasion of President Duterte’s 100^th day in office.  October 7 also marks the celebration of World Day for Decent Work.

In Cebu, the chapter of Partido Manggagawa (PM) echoed this call. “Ang kahirapan at adiksyon ay magkarugtong na problema. Ang malawakang patayan at ang kahandaan pang pumatay ng 3 milyong pusher at adik ay hindi solusyon sa kahirapan. Ang kailangan ay bagong patakaran at konkretong hakbang na maghahango sa 26 na milyong Pilipino mula sa kahirapan, magbibigay kabuhayan at regular na trabaho sa 40 na milyong manggagawa, at buhay na may dignidad para sa lahat,” said PM-Cebu spokesperson Dennis Derige.

One of PM-Cebu's leader and organizer, Orlando "Ka Lando" Abangan, was shot and killed last September in a vigilante style killing. His killing remains unsolved.

PM national chair and CLC co-chair Renato Magtubo said the next five and a half years will be more challenging for the Duterte administration amid the sharpening contradictions between the contending classes inside and outside his administration in dealing with other social programs.

He cited as an example the strong opposition coming from local and foreign business groups against workers demand to finally end the policy contractualization and the realization of the living wage principle enshrined in the constitution.

“Sa manggagawa ay simple lang ang depinisyon ng pagbabago. Wala nito kung nariyan pa rin ang endo at mababa ang sweldo. Wala nito kung mananatiling untouchable ang mga gaya ni Lucio Tan, Henry Sy, at iba pang endo lords,” added Magtubo.

Labor groups were all opposed to the win-win solution on endo being proposed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which promotes regularization outside of the principal employers but to the third party service providers such as manpower agencies and cooperatives.

The group is also opposed to the planned imposition of regressive taxes to replace revenue loss resulting from the removal of VAT exemptions from senior citizens and the lowering of income taxes for corporations and individuals in the higher tax brackets.

Advisory: Workers to mark Duterte's 100 days with rally today

Workers on 100 days of Duterte: Killings overshadow social programs of the administration

It was a deadly 100 days.  To say otherwise is creative imagination.

 

This was the very brief description made by Partido Manggagawa (PM) when asked about its assessment of the first 100 days of the Duterte administration, noting that the number of killed in the war against drugs is obviously more graphic and chilling than the number of jobs created, number of endo lords neutralized, and number of landlords subjected to land reform.

 

“It cannot be denied that President Duterte’s deadly war on drugs overshadowed his social programs during his first 100 days in office.  His energy is there 100 per cent, leaving the social programs walk the business-as-usual course,” stated PM chair, Renato Magtubo.  

 

Magtubo said that as early as now, important social programs for workers such as contractualization and living wage were in danger of being completely compromised as powerful local and foreign business groups closed ranks to oppose such measures. 

 

“These powerful interests inside and outside the administration were behind the push for the win-win solution on endo and the removal of leftist officials in government,” said Magtubo.

 

The labor leader said, 100 days were clearly not enough to deliver on social programs, “But to be compromised is also recipe to a failure.”

 

Tomorrow marks the 100 days in office of the Duterte administration. It also coincides with the celebration of the World Day for Decent Work.

 

The Church-Labor Conference (CLC) where PM is a member is holding a rally tomorrow at the Mabuhay Rotonda to reiterate its call for a change in labor policies particularly on ending contractualization and the realization of living wage.

 

The group said that in the next five and a half years, it wanted the policy shifted to “Kabuhayan hindi Patayan”, in sharp disagreement with the recent pronouncement made by President Duterte that he will be happy to slaughter three million more in his relentless war against drugs.

 

In contrast Magtubo said:  “Mr. President, we have 100M Filipino lives to protect, 40M good jobs to create, and 26M people to lift out of poverty. If you will only consider the drug problem as both eco-social and public health issues, war against poverty is a better war to wage.”

 

The county has a population of over 100 million. Poverty incidence remains at 26%.  Most of the 40 million labor force is in non-standard employment affected by the chronic problems of contractualization, low wages, and the rising tide of informalization.

October 6, 2016