PAL urges business groups to join ranks, protect interests

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Airlines (PAL) urged the country's business community to be more vigilant against acts of violence by dismissed workers similar to the October 29, 2011 incident at the PAL Inflight Center.

This developed as PAL called on government to safeguard the constitutional rights of employers against abusive former workers.

After showing photo evidence in full-page newspaper advertisements of the blockade of a PAL truck by outsourced PAL employees, PAL said other companies are susceptible to similar mob rule due to the absence of adequate government protection.

Police have yet to charge any of the terminated employees for blocking or attempting to torch a PAL truck last October 29.

PAL reiterated its call for immediate government action versus a minority group whose acts are hampering the flag carrier's return to full normal operations.

PAL said the lack of adequate laws protecting businesses from violent acts of dismissed workers has emboldened former PAL employees into escalating their protests from rallies and marches to threats of bodily harm and destruction of property.

Earlier, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) issued separate statements urging government to prevent further escalation of harassment and violence at PAL which had been deemed inimical to investor confidence in the country.

The business groups said increasing number of incidents of harassment inflicted on PAL employees and equipment is "not conducive to business and could discourage investors."

The ECOP, FPI, FFCCCI and PCCI urged government to protect the rights of business in the same way that workers' rights are protected by existing laws. (FREEMAN)