Sacked furniture firm workers stage picket

CEBU, Philippines - Terminated workers of the Mehitabel Furniture, Inc. staged a picket at the firm’s Plant I in barangay Lahug as its labor union continues to decry the management’s alleged illegal termination and union busting.

Luisa Labrada, secretary-general of the Mehitabel Employees Union-Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization-Kilusang Mayo Uno, said that 194 workers from Plant I and 169 workers from Plant II were already terminated illegally since February 6 this year.

The FREEMAN tried to contact the management of the said firm or the company lawyer but nobody is available as of this writing.

Union president Zosimo Borja said that they would continue to fight until the management will grant their demand.

The management, however, was reportedly forced to terminate its workers amid the global financial crisis.

Borja earlier said that the terminated workers were promised to be paid in a staggered basis, reportedly through 21 post-dated checks - the amount to be withdrawn every month.

Borja added that for those who would want to get the separation pay in bulk, an eight-percent deduction will be taken from the amount.

Further, he said that the termination of the workers is “highly illegal” considering that the workers are supposed to be informed 30 days before the termination. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)