MEPZ factory employees protest "illegal" termination

CEBU, Philippines – A protest rally erupted inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning when workers of a Finnish firm producing sauna and spa heaters held a demonstration to oppose to alleged illegal termination by the management.  

Around 70 workers of Sawo Inc. marched from their factory to the gates of MEPZ II, held a short program there and proceeded to the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment to air their complaint.

Dennis Derige, spokesperson of Partido ng Manggagawa, claimed that the workers were not permitted to enter the factory yesterday as they were already terminated.

Elena Juen, leader of the protesting workers, said that their illegal termination was in retaliation for the complaint they filed against the management last April 1 at DOLE over the illegal termination and suspension.

Derige said that the 78 workers who signed the complaint against the management were terminated and were not allowed to enter the factory yesterday. All the terminated workers are affiliated with PM.

In a letter to its employees, the company claimed that it was suffering losses due to the economic crisis and would be closing down certain sections and terminating workers.

The terminated workers, however, claimed that the factory has not experienced a reduction in sales and production.

Derige claimed that some of the workers received their termination letters through the mail last Saturday while others received their termination letter just yesterday.

“The mere allegation of serious losses due to the global recession is now a blank check to suppress workers who are asserting their rights,” Derige said.

The terminated workers plan to contest their termination and file a new complaints of illegal dismissal against the company. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM  (THE FREEMAN)