Workers restive in N. Vizcaya mining project

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Employees of a foreign-run mining project in upland Kasibu town on Friday complained about the alleged harassment, discrimination and unfair labor practices committed by an Australian company that is preparing to conduct large-scale mining operations there.

Wendy Nicano, president of the workers’ union at the gold-copper project of OceanaGold Philippines Inc., called on President Aquino to order an investigation of these alleged abuses, including the supposed harassment of union leaders.

“President Aquino has made so many promises (about the mining industry), one of which was [the pledge] that he would see to it that Filipinos will get the benefits due us. We wish to tell him now that here in Didipio, we, the members of the community, are the ones reaping all the misery,” she said.

The Inquirer tried but failed to get comments from OceanaGold. Ramoncito Gozar, OceanaGold senior vice president for communication and external affairs, did not take the Inquirer’s calls and text messages.

The workers are circulating a petition, which they would submit to the Department of Labor and Employment when they file a formal complaint against OceanaGold, the Inquirer was told.

On Friday, about 50 Didipio residents expressed support for the union members by blocking OceanaGold vehicles and heavy equipment. They were dispersed by the police.

The complaining workers are demanding the ouster of four top OceanaGold officials: Canadian Brennan Lang, operations manager; and Filipinos Lucita Exconde, community partnership manager; Librado Villamayor Jr., community partnership superintendent; and Rhodora Songayab, human resources manager.

Nicano said the workers “also brought to their attention the improper disposal of solid and liquid waste from the mine site, which has been the subject of complaints from community members, but our requests fell on deaf ears.”

Didipio village chief Erenio Bobbola Sr. said they have approached OceanaGold officials about these complaints.

Since March, OceanaGold officers have allegedly been discouraging workers against joining the union, Nicano said. Leaders who openly complained against the firm have allegedly received sanctions for “petty violations,” she said.

She was suspended for 30 days on Nov. 20 for alleged violation of company policies, but she said she was not given the chance to explain.

When she reported for work on Thursday, the union president was handed her notice of termination allegedly because she was sowing disgruntlement among workers.

Martin Duhalngon, a welder and also a union leader, was dismissed barely six weeks after he was hired after he complained of the uncooked meat that had been served to workers.

“This is actually double whammy for the union members because aside from being deprived of jobs, they are also losing members… [OceanaGold] keeps on terminating workers and hiring non-Didipio residents who are warned against joining the union,” said lawyer Dennis Habawel, the workers’ counsel.