Jap firm signs new CBA, then closes Biñan plant

SAN PEDRO, Laguna, Philippines—At least 106 workers are losing their jobs in a Japanese car parts firm just after entering into a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the firm, a labor organization said.

The Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Pamantik-KMU) said the Japanese-owned Keihin Phils., a car parts manufacturing firm, announced it was shutting down as a “cost-cutting measure.”

According to the group, Akihiro Takahasi, Keihin president, announced the shutdown just two days after a new CBA was signed between management representatives and leaders of the workers’ union in the firm.

Ignacio Sanqui Jr., labor department director in Laguna, confirmed this Friday.

Keihin has a plant in the Laguna Technopark in Biñan City. It manufactures in-take manifold, an air-conditioning system part for cars, that it supplies to Honda cars.

Pamantik-KMU said the closure was “illegal” and a violation of the recently concluded CBA.

The labor group, an allied organization of Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Keihin, said the company’s declaration of losses was “unreasonable” because the company generated P1.1 billion in income last year.

It said this was also the union’s basis for successfully negotiating a daily wage increase of P67, P68 and P71 for the next three years.

“No person in the right frame of mind will conclude a CBA and immediately afterwards declare closure,” said Hermie Marasigan, Pamantik-KMU spokesperson.

The Inquirer tried to seek comment from the management but it was learned from a security guard that the company has ceased its operations since Monday. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer South, Philippine Daily Inquirer