[WAC news alert] Violent dispersal injures 35 workers in one day; two seriously
Workers' Assistance Center
September 29, 2006
Violent dispersal injures 35 workers in one day; two seriously
A total of 35 workers were injured, two of whom seriously, when police
and security guards once again separately assaulted and violently
dispersed workers on strike on September 27 evening.
Hours after striking workers at Chong Won Fashion Inc. (CWFI) were
assaulted leaving 22 injured--one of whom collapsed and taken to a
hospital, another picket line of workers on strike at the Korean-owned
garment factory Phils. Jeon Garments, Inc. were violently dispersed and
brutally beaten without mercy with clubs and shields injuring 13.
Around 50 elements of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza)
police and Jantro security guards started attacking 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 of whom 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 have strongly condemned such actions by the Peza
police and Jantro security guards, in particular Peza director general
lawyer Lilia de Lima for giving indirect orders for violently
dispersing the strikers and for tolerating violent actions of their men
in the field. She also failed prevent and refrain her men from
attacking the strikers.
It can be recalled that workers on strike at the Phils. Jeon Garments,
Inc. went on strike following the continued refusal by the management
to negotiate with them for their collective bargaining agreement (CBA)
despite a lawful order by the office of the Secretary of the Department
of Labour and Employment (Dole) in favor of the labor union.
The factory is producing T-shirts, underwear, and lingerie products for
Al-alseel, O/X, DreamStation and CNI. The products are being exported
to countries like South Korea, Japan, Middle East and in the US.