84 Sawo employees axed

CEBU, Philippines – Allegedly due to losses and very minimal orders spurred by the global economic crisis, Sauna World, a company based at the Mactan Export Processing Zone, has terminated 84 of its workers but its former managing director yesterday belied and criticized this claim of the current management.

In a press conference, Teijo Kuiri said it is not true that the company is losing and that the termination of the workers was allegedly “unceremonious”.

“Filipino workers are very hard working. It is very difficult to re-train other employees and, besides, the terminated workers are highly-skilled,” Kuiri said.

Some of the terminated workers said those that were axed from their jobs are allegedly those that have sided with Kuiri.

Kuiri, a part-owner of Sawo, was terminated last year after he reportedly insisted to open the company’s financial books. A case relative to his alleged illegal discharge is now pending in court.

Kuiri was also the former treasurer of the corporation and was a member of its board of directors when operations started in 2000. He reportedly had a total investment of around P40 million.

“Mura og nag-conduct ang Human Resource Department og loyalty check. Unya kadto ilahang mahibaw-an nga laban ni Kuiri mao to ilang gipangtaktak,” a former employee said.

Sawo supplies sauna heaters, steam generators, sauna accessories, customized sauna rooms and steam rooms to all the big hotels in Cebu, including Shangri-La and Waterfront Hotels, as well as some well-known spas.

A protest rally broke out inside MEPZ last Monday when around 70 workers of Sawo were not permitted to enter the factory.

“I feel so sorry for the terminated workers. I disagree with the termination. The reduction of the workforce is so huge,” Kuiri said. The company reportedly has branches in over 60 countries. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)