Terminated workers won’t stop protest

Terminated workers of the cement-manufacturing firm, Lafarge-Holcim, refused to stop their daily protest unless their demands are met.

In an issued statement from the Davao Holcim Employees Workers Union-Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Dahewu-Sentro), the union demands Lafarge-Holcim to reinstate its 100 terminated employees.

The group also demanded the company to stop hiring scabs while their protest is still ongoing.

Dahewu-Sentro is also seeking for its union membership to be recognized.

“(We also demand to) fairly implement voluntary regularization by complying with the Collective Bargaining Agreement of Dahewu-Sentro and LafargeHolcim, specifically Article II Section 2 which states: ‘Should the Company engage in job contracting, it should do so only with regards to jobs which are not necessary and desirable to its usual trade or business, in good faith, and without any ill-intent of suppressing the employees' right to security of tenure and the right to associate',” the union said in an official statement.

After their contractor, Fort Steel Cargo Integrators, Inc., issued a termination order on March 4, the union conducted a series of protest in front of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) regional office.The group questioned the legality of the termination, saying it was issued without due notice and just cause as provided by labor law.

Meanwhile, Holcim Philippines issued an official statement, saying that they are committed to be compliant with labor laws.

“We respect the rights of all workers to peacefully and freely express themselves,” Holcim said.