Union protests against MEPZ company’s closure

CEBU, Philippines – A protest rally was held inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) yesterday morning by around 50 union members of Blaze Manufacturing Corporation Employees Union (BMCEU) and Agency Workers Union of Blaze.

The workers were protesting the abrupt closure of Blaze Manufacturing Corporation, a Japanese-owned company that produces high-blocks for export to Japan.

Erwin Merambel, the vice-president of BMCEU alleged that the closure is nothing but another scheme to prevent the workers from exercising their right to form a union.

He called the closure “ill-timed, in bad faith and malicious.”

Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu spokesperson Dennis Derige in a press statement said that the workers were barred from entering the company premises and were served with notices of termination, cessation of operation and total closure.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be holding a Certification Election today to determine if the union truly represents the whole rank and file workers of the said company.

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.

Last May 10, the Mediation and Arbitration Unit of Dole issued a decision to conduct a certification or consent election today, June 3, to determine whether BMCEU truly represents majority of the rank and file workers. (FREEMAN)