South Luzon workers from TF Logistics Philippines, Inc., and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. rose victorious after their certification elections, with both unions committed to collective bargaining and continuous worker rights education.
The Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA) started organizing the two unions last year, aiming to grow its industry affiliates in the region. It also secured a union of drivers and mechanics from RVL Movers Corp. last March.
TF Logistics Philippines Supervisory Union (TFLPSU-PMA) successfully conducted its union elections on August 20. This followed the unionization of the company’s rank-and-file workers way back in 2016, with supervisors actively working toward their own collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Mary Grace, PMA union organizer, noted a provision in the existing CBA that grants yearly salary increases to rank-and-file workers in TF Logistics, almost closing the income gap with supervisors.
John Edward Nilooban, TFLPSU-PMA president, explained, “Our benefits as supervisors were closely tied to the rank-and-file workers’ CBA, but we recognized the need for our own voice. We aim to secure a CBA on our own prerogative.”
Jonathan Punjong, TFLPSU-PMA secretary, added, “We want to be a part of the solution and a bridge for proper communication between our rank-and-file workers and management.”
Combined, the supervisory and rank-and-file unions at TF Logistics represent about 200 workers.
Auto Workers Choose New Leaders
Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi Motors Workers Union-Philippines (MMWU-P-PMA) held elections for its new leadership on July 30. Established in 1965, the union is a founding member of PMA and represents workers involved in manufacturing cars for the company.
The new union officers emphasized the need to fortify awareness and education on worker rights with its roughly 800 members.
Sergio Ward, Jr., MMWU-P-PMA president, said, “Unionization is not a simple matter. Our members need to be re-educated on the importance of our union and their role in it—that the union is more than just the benefits we enjoy.”
Unions of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila say they will continue to fight for job security amid securing an agreement with management to reinstate workers once the hotel reopens, which only materialized after the closure.
The unions said about 70 percent of its members already accepted severance pay due to pressure from management and family financial needs.
Hotel grounds closed on June 30 for renovations, contrary to previous reports of a permanent closure, and 1,200 workers—500 regular staff and 700 contractual–lost their jobs.
However, the unions remain optimistic. Marco Jalandoni, National Union of Workers in Hotels, Restaurants and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN) secretary general, said, “Our victory is in securing the future of the union. We were able to ensure the return of the remaining union members once the hotel reopens, and our negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement will continue.”
Workers added that amid their persistent demand for negotiations, the hotel held job fairs prior to closing, with the majority of offers contract positions with few regular managerial jobs. Benster Moleno, education and communications officer of the NUWHRAIN-Philippine Plaza Chapter (PPC), said, “Many workers are unqualified for these positions, and job opportunities outside Metro Manila are impractical.”
The unions organized a media campaign with picket actions in front of hotel grounds leading up to the closure, which were followed by local news outlets. Senator Risa Hontiveros called for an investigation after listening to the workers’ plight two days before operations ceased.
Nestor Cabada, NUWHRAIN-PPC president, said, “The hardest thing right now is how those employees without jobs—how the whole union will survive until the hotel reopens. But as we always say: even if there is only one of us standing, the union will remain and continue the fight. We will leave no one behind.”
Nearly a month into their strike for better pay and safer working conditions, workers at online gaming company Evolution Georgia say they face intimidation and physical violence as the company attempts to break their strike rather than continue contract negotiations. More than 4,000 of the company’s 8,000 workers have walked off the job since July 12, according to their union.
Workers presented 44 concerns to the company, which hosts live games from specially equipped studios in six buildings. Employees in the studios, including shufflers, dealers and game presenters, noted poor working conditions and safety and health problems, including ventilation issues, lack of temperature control and unsanitary toilets. Local media reports that workers suffer insect bites, and their chairs create spinal problems.
“I don’t want to suffer from diseases or bites while working at the company,” said striking worker Lana Dzagania. “I want to be compensated fairly for my work. We should feel comfortable and safe at work, which is why we are here to demand what belongs to us. We demand a decent salary.”
Workers Stage Sit-in, Company Threatens Mass Layoffs
Evolution Georgia threatened, via Facebook, “to make operational changes,” including layoffs, to reduce its presence in Georgia. The company is a subsidiary of the Sweden-based global gaming giant, Evolution, which reported operating earnings of $534.3 million in the first quarter of this year.
Discriminatory Practices and Insulting Comments
Internal leaked chat messages from Evolution Georgia managers revealed insulting attitudes toward employees and discriminatory practices, such as team managers mocking employees for their appearance, weight or skin color. The union says it will investigate and expose these statements by managers, demanding that all managers making such comments be properly disciplined, including termination.
Striking Workers Receive Support
The striking workers enjoy broad support as citizens, artists, musicians and union representatives visit their tents, pitched near one of the company’s branches.
“It is our duty to support these people so that this problem does not affect us tomorrow,” said musician Erekle Deisadze, one of many supporters outside the union. “Otherwise, the problem will persist, and people will remain cheap labor in their own country while the company’s profits continue to increase year after year. That’s why I am here.”
More than 500 Philippine workers and trade unionists joined a march on July 22nd in Quezon City, demanding that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. declare support in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) for legislation that would further raise the minimum wage.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board approved a 35 PHP (approximately 0.60 US dollar) daily minimum wage hike for workers in the capital region earlier this month. This falls far short of the 150 PHP (about 3 US dollars) wage hike the National Wage Coalition has persistently called for to support workers’ economic recovery amid high inflation, poor job quality and a lack of new and decent jobs.
The Coalition, representing local workers across various industries and sectors, has remained steadfast in demanding livable wages and are advocating for multiple bills that have been introduced but still await action from the government.
The president has yet to engage in dialogue with Philippine Labor representatives and did not mention wages in his SONA.
Coalition member, Center of United and Progressive Workers (SENTRO), noted in an online statement, “[t]he [national government’s] absence of genuine effort to attain long-term solutions against rising costs and the provision of measly increases that leave workers running in place against inflation…” SENTRO added, “We deserve higher wages not simply because of our labor, but because we are human beings who have every right to live peacefully and decently.”
Marking the one-year anniversary of the murder of Bangladesh union leader Shahidul Islam, the Solidarity Center is demanding that the police investigation of his case be reopened to ensure that the main perpetrators of the crime are held accountable and that the persistent harassment and unfair labor practices committed against worker leaders in the country end.
A dedicated trade union organizer and leader of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF), Shahidul was brutally attacked outside Prince Jacquard Sweaters Ltd. factory on June 25, 2023, in retaliation for his efforts to help workers claim their hard-earned, long overdue wages and benefits. He succumbed to his injuries in a local hospital.
Just 45 years old at the time of his death, Shahidul is survived by his wife, also a former union organizer, and two school-age children. He was the sole wage earner for his family. With bills, school fees and her cancer treatments to pay for, Shahidul’s wife is struggling to get by.
While police in February submitted a charge sheet to the Gazipur court accusing 14 individuals in the murder of Shahidul Islam, including one administrative management official from Prince Jacquard Sweaters Ltd., trial dates remain to be set and the investigation is ongoing. Though it is positive to see that police have established a clear link between factory management and the crime, labor rights groups and Shahidul’s family argue that the investigation did not go far enough and that higher-level company officials were likely involved.
“Shahidul Islam knew that without organizing rights, workers cannot collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions in far-flung supply chains,” said Solidarity Center Executive Director Shawna Bader-Blau. “Today as we honor the legacy and memory of Shahidul, we stand united with trade unions and labor rights advocates everywhere in demanding justice for him and protection for the many committed organizers, workers and trade union leaders like him working to shift power dynamics and build worker power in the Bangladesh garment sector—the changes that he died fighting for.”
She added, “There is no alternative to strengthening protections for trade unionists so that they can exercise their fundamental rights without fear of retaliation or violence. And despite the many obstacles, we hope that change is coming.”
The Way Forward
Because of brave organizers like Shahidul Islam, the Solidarity Center has documented the formation of at least 134 independent garment sector trade unions since 2015.
In light of the culture of impunity for worker rights violations that led to his untimely death, the Solidarity Center calls for accountability, justice and transformation. We also call on:
Brands sourcing from Prince Jacquard Sweaters Ltd. factory to take responsibility for their contribution to the conditions that led to Shahidul Islam’s murder by providing financial compensation to Shahidul’s family. All brands, regardless of whether they were directly or indirectly sourcing from Prince Jacquard, should recognize that their own supply chains are vulnerable to such a horrific event and should take concrete steps to monitor for and take swift action to address wage theft and any violations of freedom of association that occur.
The government of Bangladesh to ensure that workers’ right to freedom of association is upheld, as the free exercise of this right can safeguard workers and organizers from the kind of violence that killed Shahidul Islam. Concerted action in this area will demonstrate the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental labor rights.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll presume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
