Apparel firm worker cries foul over retrenchment

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of workers have been retrenched by four garment factories at the Mactan Export Processing Zone, including Metrowear, Mactan Apparel, Fedder Apparel, and Global.

The four companies have sent notices to its workers and are giving separation pays to the first few batches but one worker has cried foul over his retrenchment.

Jose Pelino Jr., the leader of Partido ng Manggagawa in Metrowear, accused the company of illegal dismissal, saying he was retrenched because of his efforts to organize a union.

PM-Cebu spokesman Dennis Derige said Pelino already went to the Department of Labor and Employment to talk to DOLE Regional Director Elias Cayanong.

Derige said Pelino reportedly noticed being under “intense observation” by the Metrowear management for the last two weeks.

Last Thursday, Pelino was reportedly to a meeting with top management wherein he was allegedly told that he was being retrenched because based on evaluation, Pelino reportedly failed to meet the company’s standards.

But Pelino questioned his dismissal and refused to sign a document accepting his retrenchment.

He also reportedly demanded that the management implement a voluntary retrenchment program so that only those workers willing to go will be laid off but those who are still willing to work can remain in the company.

Pelino also reportedly admitted to the management that he has already organized many workers of Sports City, another garment firm, to demand of a voluntary retrenchment program.

When he left the company after the confrontation with management, Pelino reportedly noticed two motorcycles tailing him. Together with leader of PM-Cebu, Pelino reported the incident to the police.

Derige challenged DOLE and PEZA to act on Pelino’s complaint with dispatch. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO (THE FREEMAN)