Korean employer exploiting workers' dire need in Cavite
At least 80 garment factory workers are in threat of losing their jobs for their refusal to resume working for S.P. Ventures Corporation, a Korean-owned garment and wearing apparel firm, operating inside the Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) in Cavite. The workers refused to agree to the management's condition to delay the payment of their unpaid salary and other benefits. Each worker earns P256 (USD 4.9) a day.

On February 16, the management shut down the factory and subsequently declares vacation without having properly notified their workers. They also failed to properly inform them of when it would resume work. At the time, the management owed them unpaid salary and benefits of two months.

It was later found out the factory resumed its operation unannounced. While 15 of workers' agreed to resume work but not after they sign an agreement with the management allegedly containing a condition to delay the payment of their unpaid salary and benefits. No payment will also be made for workers' overtime work if they fail to meet quota of their produce. Some workers were to force to go back to work by agreeing to the management's condition out of dire needs.

The management is allegedly refusing to meet their obligations by complying with the demands of the majority of the workers. Instead of reinstating them, the management hired contractual workers to replace their positions.

A complaint of illegal dismissal has been filed against the management before the Nationsal Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) in Manila. While waiting for complaint to be resolved, the affected families of workers are forced to find other sources of income. Others are trying to work as contractual in other firms.

This is yet another instance of alleged abuses and unfair labor practice by foreign investors operating inside the CEPZ. The practices of non-payment and delayed payment of salaries, benefits and the excessive overtime work is blatantly violated by some companies inside CEPZ, as in this case.

In this case, the affected workers have raise concern that may lose jobs and that salary and benefit would no longer be paid. Their concerns that their Korean employer may abscond responsibilities once it declare bankrupts. There have been incidents of this of previous companies operating in CEPZ.

Likewise, the workers are set to request the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) officials to initiate a dialogue between them and their employer. They are likewise calling upon their immediate intervention to closely monitor their employer's activity to ensure they are held accountable of their liabilities

Workers Assistance Center, Inc.
Bahay Manggagawa, Indian Mango St., Manggahan Cpd.
Sapa I, Rosario, Cavite 4106 Philippines
Tel No. +63-46-8840076
Fax No. +63-46-4384736