Other MEPZ workers support Paul Yu protesters

CEBU, Philippines – The disgruntled workers of a Taiwanese lampshade factory at the Mactan Export Processing Zone II are calling the Philippine Export Zone Authority to enforce labor standards and protect labor rights in the export zone.

Workers of MEPZ II-based company Paul Yu yesterday began their third day of protest marching from the factory to the office at the adjoining MEPZ I compound after their seven leaders were reportedly still not allowed to enter the company premises.

Willy Dondoyano, head of the workers association and one of the seven that were suspended, said more than 300 workers left their work to sympathize for their plight.

As a result of this ongoing labor dispute, some 30 workers from the nearby Altamode garments factory and members of the Partido ng Manggagawa marched in solidarity with the Paul Yu protesters.

Renante Pelino, president of the newly-formed union at Altamode also called on other workers at the export zone to join their cause. Pelino said the support of their fellow workers is essential in gaining victory for the struggle of Paul Yu workers.

Paul Yu has a workforce of more than 1,000 while the entire export zone has tens of thousands of workers.

Dennis Derige, Partido ng Manggagawa spokesperson, said the management sent a notice that they will terminate the contract of agency workers, many of which have participated in the protests.

Derige said that during the dialogue presided by the National Mediation and Conciliation Board the other day, the Paul Yu management reportedly admitted that the preventive suspension of the seven leaders was faulty yet they will stand by their decision and would mark as absence without official leave the workers that refused to work.

The work stoppage has reportedly paralyzed the finishing section and the “black hand,” the department where lamp shades are welded, which is considered to be the main department of Paul Yu’s production.

The Department of Labor and Employment will hear the case filed by Paul Yu workers today. The workers alleged that the three-day workweek implemented by the company since December 2008 lacks proper documentation and due notice.

The workers have also complained that the workdays are reduced for regular workers while 40 percent of production is reportedly being outsourced to contractors.

They also complained of alleged non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS payment, non-implementation of paternity leave, and non-payment of break time. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)