Sacked Fooda workers hold rally; 2 nabbed for health violations

CEBU, Philippines —  Two of the over 50 displaced workers of Fooda Saversmart who staged a protest outside the store on General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City yesterday were arrested for violating the health protocols.

Police Major Armando Labora, Abellana Police Station chief, said the two apprehended rallyists did not wear facemasks.

The two were turned over to the city’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) for appropriate sanction.

He said there was a slight commotion when cops tried to disperse the workers who did not have a permit to conduct a rally.

“They were given 15 minutes to express their plights, pero musobra pa nuon,” said Labora.

He said any form of social gatherings, including protests, are still prohibited.

“Thus, those who will violate the quarantine protocols will be apprehended and will have to pay the administrative fines,” he said.

RALLY

On the other hand, Juliet Doverte, president of the Fooda Saversmart Workers ALU Union, said the union does not believe that the company incurred losses due to the pandemic, resulting in closure.

He said Fooda has huge revenues as it sells essential goods.

“Di na maayo ang gihimo sa management, dili mi motoo nga mo close sila karong September 22 kay ni-file sila og financial loses. Sa panahon sa pandemic o dili pandemic dili sila ingon nga wala sila halin, abli lang gihapon kay essential goods ang among gibaligya,” he said.

In fact, he said the management hired new employees despite announcing permanent closure and terminated regular union members.

He said Fooda does not want a labor union.

Around 150 employees out of the 300 Fooda employees are members of the union.

Doverte said the new hires were given an eight-hour duty, while old employees were only given four hours work, resulting in lesser pay.

“Nang hire sila og bag-o nya ang work is eight hours. Kaming mga regulars nga 15 years, 12 years, 10 years (na sa serbisyo), four hours ra (ang trabaho) so sakit kaayo sa maong kabubut-on nga regular mi unya ilisan mi og bag-o,” he said.

Christopher Zapanta, a salesclerk, said he has been working for five months with only four hours work.

He said he is only taking home a monthly pay of P4,000 due to less work hours.

He said the pay is not even enough to pay for his boarding house.

“Ang uban nga trabahente four hours, four thousand kapin ra na sa usa ka bulan kulang ra sa boarding house.  Naa pud uban 4 hours nya 3 days day off,” he said.

The workers said they are ready to hold a daily strike until the management will talk to them.

The Cebuano retail company will be closing its branches on September 22, 2021.

Its branches are located on General Maxilom Avenue, in barangays Guadalupe and Kasambagan, in Talisay City, and in Consolacion town. — Le Phyllis F. Antojado, KQD (FREEMAN)