Monday, March 3, 2008

[WAC Archives] Factsheet KMPJI No. 02 2003

Kaisahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Phils-Jeon, Independent
(Union of the Workers in Phils-Jeon)
KMPJI Factsheet

Updated as of October 22, 2006

On September 25, the union declared a strike at 6am following their company’s continued refusal to negotiate with them for their CBA. The DOLE on November 19, 2005 issued a decision as final and executory proclaiming KMPJI-Ind. as the legitimate bargaining representative. The negotiation, however, have not commence since due to the management's refusal by filing repeated appeals in courts.

After the strike, the management immediately threatened to declare union members who joined the strike for AWOL (absence without leave). On September 27 at 8:30am, the workers were assaulted leaving 13 injured--one of whom collapsed and taken to a hospital. The strikers were violently dispersed and brutally beaten without mercy with clubs and shields.

Around 50 elements of Peza police and Jantro security guards attacked the strikers at around 8:30pm in front of the factory. Two of the 13 injured victims, namely Agustina Haya and Jimmy Eder, had their heads bleed and suffered injuries due to beatings. Eder, an organiser for labor alliance Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW), had his upper lips ruptured.

The other victims too suffered bruises and injuries all over their bodies. One had one of her fingers broken. Most of the victims are female. According to the victims, some of the Peza police and Jantro guards were drunk when they were assaulted.

"Wala silang awa, kahit tumba at hindi lumalaban ang mga welgista pinagpapalo pa rin nila kami (They have no mercy, even those striker that already fell down are still being beaten" one of the victims said.

Instead of helping the injured victims, the police and guards refused to ferry them to the hospital. The victims had to force their way out of the picket line as the Peza police and guards blocked their way. Had the workers not been able to force their way out, they would have not been able to seek medical attention at Savior Hospital in Rosario, Cavite.

It is reported that Peza police Chief Jose Sarasua gave orders to violently disperse the striking workers following request by the management for them to do so.

The assault took place despite a status quo. Both the management and workers on strike have already agreed to hold a dialogue on September 28, to resolve the labor conflict peacefully at the office of Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZ). However, the strikers were attacked a day before the dialogue is held. The dialogue did not pushed through as it was overtaken by the violent dispersal.

The union members condemned such actions by the Peza police and Jantro security guards, in particular Peza director general lawyer Lilia de Lima for allegedly giving indirect orders to violently disperse the strikers and for tolerating violent actions of their men in the field. She also failed to prevent and refrain her men from attacking the strikers.

On September 28, eight workers supportive of the workers on strike were illegally arrested and charged for trespassing. Seven of whom are former employers of the SP Ventures Corporation. Armed without any arrest or search warrants, elements of the Peza police and Jantro security guards started arresting workers who were staying at the Kohzan warehouse inside the CEPZ.

They arrested and subsequently turned over workers Gemma Lape, Lorna Reli, Ivy Villasan, Analou Estrimos, Glaysa Layesi, Josephine Bahar, Pablito Sapata and Rodelito Amo to the Rosario Municipal Police Station (RMPS) where they are presently detained. The Peza police and Jantro guards arrested them over allegations they are facilitating storage of food supply for workers on strike nearby. They were detained for six days.

On October 4 at 7pm, Judge Rita Quizon of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) in Rosario, Cavite ordered the release of eight workers without bail. But the Judge required them they to appear for their first hearing schedule on January 15, 2007.

On October 5, 2006 - a fact-finding team has been conducted to look into the case of illegal arrest and detention of the eight supporters/workers of the strike; food blockade; blacklisting of the strikers and confiscation of their IDs and zone passes, and violent dispersal of the workers' picketline in Chong Won and Phils Jeon on September 27, 2006.

They only allowed the entry of a staff of Senator Jamby Madrigal and those from Center for Trade Union & Human Rights (CTUHR) and National Coalition for the Protection of Workers Rights (NCPWR) riding a van. As a result of this FFM, Peza returned all the confiscated items on
October 6, from the eight workers who were arrested (one sack of rice and mobile phones) but they did not return the cameras they have confiscated.

Since October 17, the workers had been receiving subpoenas informing them that they are being sued for slight physical injuries by Peza policemen and Jantro Security guards in connection with the September 25 and 27 incidents.

The hearing was set on October 25, 2006 for preliminary conference at the Rosario Municipal Trial Court. A total of seventeen workers were charged, ten of whom were Phils. Jeon union members namely Merly Grafe, Normelita Galon, Alona Octavo, Gemma Garabato, Ricardo Cahanap, Cynthia Red, Cecille Sabela, Rosebie Remorin, Colleen Muyot, Bessie Hernandez and Jimmy Eder , an organizer of the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW).

October 19, 2006, the managements dismantled the picket lines of the workers on strike. After they have dismantled the picket line (makeshift tents) the striker no longer have any "roof" or tent to protect them from the heat of the sun, rain, or the dew during nighttime and dawn time. They also do not have temporary comfort rooms. This condition was very difficult and uncomfortable for the workers on strike.

It is reported that it was the management of Phils Jeon and Jantro security guards who dismantled their picket line. They have likewise placed two checkpoints in between Phils Jeon, similar to what they did to Chong Won strikers. Only those who are inside can maintain the picket line but they also face the same difficulties like Chong Won workers, no roof, no comfort room, no food, and no water.

Prepared by
Research, Documentation, Information and Publication Program
Workers Assistance Center, Inc.

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