Sofitel, displaced workers settle labor dispute

MANILA, Philippines — A strike at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila was averted yesterday after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) settled the dispute between the displaced hotel workers and the management.

The DOLE said the Philippine Plaza Holdings, hotel workers and supervisors agreed to settle the dispute under certain terms and conditions.

Labor coalition Nagkaisa described the dispute settlement as a “victory for the workers who fought for their rights.”

Under the settlement agreement, the displaced employees will receive their separation benefit package not later than July 5.

The rank-and-file employees will get an increase of P1,000 in their monthly salary from the period of Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023 and another P1,000 from Jan. 1, 2024 to June 30.

Supervisory employees will receive an increase of P1,000 in their monthly salary from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and an additional P1,000 from July 1, 2023 to June 30, as well as separation pay equivalent to up to 115 percent of their adjusted basic monthly salary per year of service.

The hotel employees will also be getting an appreciation bonus of P10,000.

If Sofitel reopens under the same company, the DOLE said workers who did not accept the separation package must be re-employed by the hotel.