Korean banana firm loses $200,000 due to labor strike

By JULIET C. REVITA, Sun Star, May 9, 2017

A KOREAN banana firm in Compostela Valley has lost over $200,000 due to a month-long labor strike staged by former employees and the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), prompting them to stop their regular operation. Shinsun Tropical Fruit Corporation President Angel Febre told reporters on Tuesday, May 9, during a press conference at Probinsya Restaurant that they are losing P2 million a week which may lead to bankruptcy as the labor strike, which began April 6, continues. 

The company already filed case for damages for TRO and preliminary injunction based on the fact that the strikers blocked the entrance and exit of the company and the 200 remaining workers who wanted to work were not able to enter. “When the TRO was release, the KMU refused to receive it. The police did not want to implement it and insisted that there will be a motion for demolition,” Febre said, adding that when they file the motion, it was denied by the court but he told the KMU that they should remove the barricade and the workers agreed but did not do it. READ: Labor strike paralyzes Compostela Valley banana plantation He said that they even send a letter to the office of the President through the Special Assistant to

The police did not want to implement it and insisted that there will be a motion for demolition,” Febre said, adding that when they file the motion, it was denied by the court but he told the KMU that they should remove the barricade and the workers agreed but did not do it. READ: Labor strike paralyzes Compostela Valley banana plantation He said that they even send a letter to the office of the President through the Special Assistant to

He said that they even send a letter to the office of the President through the Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go but failed to receive a response until Monday, May 8. “We have even requested the assistance of the police and then the military even from our local government, but no assistance were given to us,” Febre claimed. The labor strike originated after the agency who supplied contractual workers to the company did not renew their labor permit due to the increased capital amount from P3 million to P5 million. The banana firm was urged to reinstate all 37 workers and employ them as regular workers under

The labor strike originated after the agency who supplied contractual workers to the company did not renew their labor permit due to the increased capital amount from P3 million to P5 million. The banana firm was urged to reinstate all 37 workers and employ them as regular workers under direct payroll of the company. “The reduce of manpower is due to financial difficulties due to serious Panama disease which loses the farm 0.8 hectare per week,” he added. Initially, the firm intended to give separation pay to the workers who were not re-hired as compensation but before the separation pay was given to the employees, they already filed a case for preventive mediation in the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NMCB). But while the process of mediation is ongoing, they locked down the gate and launched an illegal labor strike. Febre noted that it was illegal due to

“The reduce of manpower is due to financial difficulties due to serious Panama disease which loses the farm 0.8 hectare per week,” he added. Initially, the firm intended to give separation pay to the workers who were not re-hired as compensation but before the separation pay was given to the employees, they already filed a case for preventive mediation in the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NMCB). But while the process of mediation is ongoing, they locked down the gate and launched an illegal labor strike. Febre noted that it was illegal due to

Febre noted that it was illegal due to failure of filing a notice of strike beforehand. In the course of the mediation, Shinsun agreed to reinstate the 32 strikers, however, the demand of KMU changed and even wanted to employ around 80 employees but whose identities were not named. “KMU refused to accept the offer and wanted 80 employees who cannot be identified to become regulars and be given their salaries differentials and other benefits not given by the agency of the ECQ Serve Human Resources,” he said. A hearing is set on Wednesday, May 10, to settle the issue.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2017/05/09/korean-banana-firm-loses-200000-due-labor-strike-541034
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