Labor chief blames Kadamay

Over violent dispersal at NutriAsia factory

LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Wednesday, August 1, pinned the blame on urban group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) over the violent dispersal of picketers outside the factory of condiment giant NutriAsia in Marilao, Bulacan.

In a chance interview with Palace reporters, Bello said the scuffle with police began when Kadamay members had intervened in Nutriasia worker’s protest against labor issues concerning the sauces and condiments distributor.

Bello, nevertheless, said there was already an ongoing mediation to address the incident.

“Meron nang ongoing conciliation. Nagkagulo dahil pumasok ‘yung Kadamay. Hindi naman workers ‘yun. Hindi NutriAsia ‘yun. Kadamay ang pumasok diyan (There is already an ongoing conciliation. There was a brawl because Kadamay interfered. They’re not workers. They’re not from NutriAsia. Kadamay interfered),” the Labor chief said.

NutriAsia workers’ strike has been ongoing because of the company’s refusal to heed the Labor department order in July to regularize its 80 workers.

About 300 NutriAsia employees and supporters were violently dispersed on Monday, July 30, by policemen and the firm’s security personnel after an ecumenical mass was held, rights group Karapatan and labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said.

A photo of an elderly woman identified as 56-year-old Leticia Retiza and whose nose was bleeding has circulated on social media, triggering public condemnation and a call to boycott NutriAsia’s products.

In a statement, NutriAsia said the violence ensued when strikers allegedly “fired a shot in the air and started to hurl rocks at police and guards tasked to maintain peace and order in the area.”

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has already sent a team to look into the violent dispersal of protesters outside NutriAsia’s factory.

The CHR also reminded the police to avoid excessive use of force in ensuring law and order.

“At the same time, the rule of law must always prevail even in times of unrest. We, too, remind the protesters to not resort to violence and unlawful acts in asserting their rights,” the commission said. (SunStar Philippines)