Embattled steel plant faces multiple raps
SAN SIMON - The embattled steel plant in this town is now facing multiple charges for the alleged maltreatment of its employees.
Since last week, Real Steel
Corporation (RSC) has been hounded by negative reports after a news program exposed the alleged plight of its empl oyees.
On Tuesday, its former workers have started formally filing criminal charges and labor complaints against the company, the local police and
Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) confirmed.
According to this town's chief of police Major Gregorio
Santos, 14 criminal charges were already lodged before the proper court against RSC officials as of Wednesday aft er n oon.
These include five counts each of physical injury and illegal detention, three counts of grave threat and one count of physical abuse.
"More employees, including those who resigned way back are still coming over to file their complaints against Real Steel so the number might go up in the next days," Santos sai d.
Meanwhile, DOLE Region III Assistant Director Geraldine Panlilio said the investigation and mandatory conference between the company and complainants is ongoing.
She said the agency will look into three possible violations such as general labor standards, occupational safety and health standards, and inspection of joint monitoring t eams.
"We will also verify the reports of physical abuse which allegedly were committed by Chinese nationals and if proven, we will explore what we can do on the working permits of these foreigners," she said.
Earlier, the RSC management has categorically denied all accusations