DOLE takes over Triumph labor dispute
By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 18:05:00 11/18/2008
Filed Under: Labour dispute
MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) has taken jurisdiction of the labor-management dispute at Triumph International Phil. Inc. to prevent a strike over a deadlock in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
DoLE assumed jurisdiction, in an order issued Tuesday, over the labor dispute between Triumph management and the Bagong Pagkakaisa ng mga Mangggagawa sa Triumph International Philippines Inc. (New Unity of Workers at Triumph International Philippines Inc.)
“A strike in the Company is hereby enjoined,” the order, signed by Labor Secretary Marianito Roquye said.
“Parties are directed to cease and desist from taking any action which may aggravate the situation. In the event of an actual strike, the strikers are ordered to return to work within 24 hours from receipt hereof and the Company to accept all strikers under the same terms and conditions prior to the strike,” the order said.
Roque said the DoLE would join the negotiations to save the manufacturing firm, which has been exporting 80% of its undergarments production and is, therefore, considered an “industry indispensable to the national interest.”
He also said a work stoppage would adversely affect the workers' families.
“A strike would also result in the loss of revenues to the government in terms of foreign exchange earnings, income and corporate taxes,” Roque said in the order.
The threat of work stoppage in the Triumph plant came as a number of companies in export processing zones in Cebu and Cavite have reported a slash in their work forces and working hours due to a slowdown in the demand from overseas markets in recession.
“At these critical times when the Philippine economy is clearly threatened by the current global financial meltdown and all efforts are geared towards cushioning the negative impact of the global credit crunch, it is the utmost concern of this Office that labor disputes are resolved without resorting to work stoppages, particularly so when there are effective alternative mechanisms in place to resolve the parties' differences,” Roque added.
On Tuesday afternoon, around 200 to 500 Triumph workers left their jobs for a day and protested the DOLE office in Intramuros, Manila to protest the agency's assumption of jurisdiction order.
As a sign of their indignation, the workers, wearing red shirts and carrying placards, threw samples of their undergarment products at the DOLE building.
Isabelita dela Cruz, union president, saw the order as a conspiracy between the government and the company to repress their rights.
“The Arroyo government has been desperate to preempt all forms of work stoppages and industrial strikes to take place during her term to the extent of conspiring with big businesses just to desolately realize her dream of a no-strike policy,” Dela Cruz said.
The union said the “mass leave” of around 800 workers from the plant floor and other offices paralyzed the operation in the Triumph's factory in Taguig City.
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