GABRIELA CONDEMNS VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF HANJIN WOMEN WORKERS; SUPPORT DEMANDS FOR WAGES, BENEFITS AND TENURE
Posted by gabrielatk on February 4, 2008
Gabriela Southern Tagalog expresses its support for the protesting workers of Han Jin Incorporated, a Korean- owned garments factory in Bgy. Banay-banay, Cabuyao Laguna.
We strongly condemn the violent dispersals that led protesting workers to disperse and seek refuge in the nearby St. Agustine Church. At least 21 were injured during the dispersal last January 24 while 4 more suffered blows in another dispersal last January 26. Several women have complained of sexual harassment, with their breasts being held mashed by police elements during dispersals.
The workers led by the Aniban ng Manggagawang Inaapi sa HanJin garments (AMIHAN) started holding picket last January 24.
HanJin workers, 75% of whom are women, are seeking the reinstatement of around 200 workers who were supposed to be regularized but were instead, arbitrarily dismissed.
The HanJin management likewise violated the mandated daily minimum wage. Workers complained that while the mandated minimum wage in Cabuyao, Laguna is Php282.00, workers with 9-12 years tenure receive only Php 260.00 while those working with the company for 5-9 years receive only P160.00 per day. Other employees receive a meager Php130.00.
They are subjected to forced overtime to meet delivery quota requirements. Workers, including those who have been with the company for 12 years, get no benefits at all. All workers remain contractual, another clear violation of the Labor code.
Workers likewise have to contend with poor working conditions in the factory. Because of the factory’s poor ventilation, they each have to bring their own electric fans.
The Han Jin management should be made accountable for years of slave-like labor that have subjected their workers to.
Moreover, police elements belonging to the Cabuyao PNP and the Laguna Industrial Park Police Assistance Group led by Col. Moises Pagaduan and Maj. Delos Santos, who dispersed the protests, reveal the anti-worker bias of the government.
Gabriela Southern Tagalog joins the HanJin workers in their demands for just wages, benefits and compensation and security of tenure. We demand justice for the protesting workers who were violently dispersed in blatant violation of the basic Constitutional rights to organize, assemble and express dissent.
