Striking workers settle for separation

CEBU, Philippines – Four weeks of work stoppage over the suspension of seven leaders of the Paul Yu Workers Association ended last week with the workers accepting the management’s offer of separation.

Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu spokesman Dennis Derige said that in the agreement, 114 regular and contractual workers and 120 agency workers will receive 18 days per year of service in separation pay and a lump sum of P50,000 for a livelihood project of the association.

Derige said that the settlement is above the management’s so-called final offer of 13 days only for regular and contractual workers and none for agency workers.

Willy Dondoyano, president of the Paul Yu workers association, said that this is only a partial victory as they were not able to achieve their demand for the reinstatement of suspended workers, it is still a victory nonetheless.

But he said the settlement will benefit all Paul Yu workers who participated in the protests including agency workers that management initially refused to include in the terms of agreement.

Derige said that this is the definitive end of the era of the MEPZ as “a haven for docile labor where capitalists can ride roughshod over workers rights and labor standards without provoking a militant response from the workers” and that the sacrifice of the Paul Yu workers will ultimately benefit all the export zone workers.

Likewise, PM criticized the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Export Processing Zone officials for allegedly dragging their feet on the case thus weakening the workers negotiating position.

Dondoyano also thanked the people who supported the struggle.

Derige further said that in the month-long strike, the Washington DC-based International Labor Rights Forum, Clean Clothes Campaign of Europe, the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America and the San Francisco Labor Council were among those who sent letters of protest to the Paul Yu management aside from more than a thousand unionists from more than 50 countries who signed the online appeal.

Paul Yu manufactures and exports mainly lampshades. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)