Garment workers in a Korean company stage strike

Contractual workers from Hanjin Garments Incorporated, a Korean-owned company in Cabuyao, Laguna, launched their strike at around 5:30 AM today, January 24, demanding reinstatement of illegally terminated workers, regularization, and union recognition.

After holding a mobile information team round the roads of Cabuyao which started at 5:00 AM, Hanjin workers established two barricade posts – one in front of the company and one in front of the Gatchalian Industrial Subdivision in Barangay Banay-banay, Cabuyao, Laguna.

The strikers persuaded their co-workers reporting for the 6 AM shift to join their cause.

Residents were not barred by the strikers from entry to and from the subdivision. Some residents even participated and supported the cause of the Hanjin workers.

By 5:45 AM, police in patrol car came into the scene after receiving calls from the company guards. The police, guards, and a supervisor escorted less than 200 Hanjin workers to the company.

“We are confident after having organized popular support from the workers. Majority of Hanjin workers are here with us. This proves the validity and legitimacy of our demands,” said Gomer Macale, president of union Aniban ng Manggagawang Inaapi sa Hanjin Garments (AMIHAN).

At around 10:00 AM, Cabuyao police Col. Moises Pagaduan initiated a negotiation with the strikers. Also, elements of the Laguna Industrial Park Police Assistance Group (LIPPAG) negotatiated with the striking workers.

“Col. Pagaduan’s negotiation is a one-sided imposition to the workers. He said that he will disperse us upon the request of Jaime Gatchalian, owner of the industrial subdivision. Our union officers told him that we will keep our ground until our demands are met… We are peaceful here. Don’t they dare and instigate fights. It would be best for these police officers to follow the rule of law and oblige Hanjin management to talk fairly with us,” said Macale in Filipino.

The police later on allowed the striking workers in their activity.

Workers from other factories, mainly from Cabuyao Workers’ Alliance (CAWAL) also supported the Hanjin strike.

The militant Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU), for its part, expressed its support to the Hanjin workers’ strike.

“We applaud the Hanjin workers’ strike which took off at dawn today. Having launched the strike is our initial victory. Hanjin workers are now carrying the red banner and representing the struggle of contractual workers in the region,” said Romeo Legaspi, chairman of PAMANTIK-KMU.

“The strike is the powerful means by which particular demands can be resolved. In addition, may this strike be an arena of political education and upliftment of class consciousness not only to the Hanjin workers, but to all contractual and regular workers as well,” concluded Legaspi.

Hanjin Garments Incorporated which produces and exports to US cocktail dresses, blazers, and pants including branded Mossimo, is located at 74 Gatchalian Subdivision, Barangay Banay-Banay, Cabuyao, Laguna. The company employs more than 1000 contractual workers and is owned by Korean nationals Jeong Kee Min and Mak Rae Min.

Successive waves of termination of employment contracts started in 2007. The latest, on January 14, 2008, terminated 2oo contractual workers who rendered service to the company for more than 12 years. ###