[WAC news alert] One worker collapse in dispersal others injured; scab workers get in
Workers' Assistance Center
September 27, 2006
One worker collapse in dispersal others injured; scab workers get in
Another 22 union members were injured, one of whom collapsed, when
police and security guards once again assaulted and violently dispersed
workers of a Korean-owned factory on strike in Rosario, Cavite at 9am
today, September 27.
The affected workers, all are officers and members of their labor union
Nagkakaisang Manggagawa sa Chong Won (United Workers of Chong Won)
(NMCW), were on its third day of peaceful strike when at least 30
combined elements of the Rosario Municipal Police Station, Philippine
Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) police and Jantro security guards
assaulted them.
The perpetrators attacked strikers who at the time peacefully stationed
at the picket line beside the factory's gate as they escorted scab
workers to get inside the factory.
One of the injured victims, Myrna Elizarde, was taken to the hospital
after she collapsed during the scuffle. The other injured workers,
however, were forced to stay to protect their picket line from totally
dismantled. Most of the workers suffered bruises and beatings on their
body.
It is reported the attackers resorted on mashing the breasts of some of
the female strikers, brutally hit the workers--most of whom are
female--with clubs. The attackers, armed with clubs and back up with
two fire trucks had no nameplates with them. The attackers have
completely ignored and violated the rules and guidelines on strike.
According to union members, it was lawyer Lilia B. de Lima, Director
General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) who allegedly
had given orders for the dispersal.
The incident happens as the strikers' other union officers and
support groups were at the head office of the Philippine Economic Zone
Authority (PEZA) located at Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, staging a
protest to condemn the violent dispersal on September 25, continued
harassment and food blockade by the PEZA police and Jantro security
guards have imposed on the workers on strike.
The union members are condemning the PEZA officials for not taking any
action against the illegal and arbitrary acts the PEZA police are
continually committing on the field. They have not taken any immediate
action to prevent further violence, allow the workers on strike of
access to food and afford immediate assistance to injured workers.
Despite appeals for PEZA to immediately intervene to peacefully resolve
the conflict, they have done nothing.
It can be recalled that the union members went on strike following the
continued refusal of their management--Chong Won Fashion Inc.
(CWFI)--to negotiate with the union for their collective bargaining
agreement (CBA) despite a final decision by the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) in favor of the workers. The factory supplies garment
products and apparels for Wal-Mart, the biggest retail store in the US.
Prior to the strike, on September 11, the management began hiring over
150 workers obviously as replacement for the union members once they
begin the strike. The management began hiring workers days after the
union members filed a notice of strike. Those newly hired workers are
the ones being escorted by the police and guards inside the factory.