Despite company closure, workers of MEPZ locator vote yes to union

CEBU, Philippines – Majority of the employees of an already closed locator of Mactan Cebu Export Processing Zone voted yes to a union during a certification election held the other day at the Department of Labor and Employment.

At least 48 rank and file employees of Blaze Manufacturing Corporation participated in the certification election. Partido ng Manggagawa spokesperson Dennis Derige said that 30 out of the 48 rank and file employees are union members.

He said there were 21 out of the 30 union members voted yes while six voted no. Derige said there are 18 other ballots that are yet to be opened. Derige however is very much confident that 10 out of the 18 votes that are yet to be counted are yes votes.

“Unofficially, the yes votes win,” he said.

Blaze Manufacturing Corporation is a Japanese firm that produces high-blocks for export.

The workers went on a protest rally last Thursday due to the abrupt closure of the company.

Erwin Merambel, vice-president of BMCEU, alleged that the closure is nothing else but another scheme to prevent the workers their right to unionize as it is ill-timed, bad faith and malicious closure.

Derige said that even if the company is already closed, the creation of the union would mean that the workers will have a say on the sale of the company assets. Last March 15, 2011, workers of Blaze formed their Union and were able to acquire a certification of registration from DOLE as a legitimate labor organization. (FREEMAN)