Grosby workers demand jobs

Grosby workers demand jobs

By Ray Fulcher and Rachel Evans

MANILA — A picket of workers retrenched by the Australian-owned company Grosby GTP Footwear has been encamped outside the factory in southern Manila since losing their jobs on March 30.

The company began winding down its operations in 1985 by beginning to contract out work. At that time it had a work force of 800. A contract worker is paid 88 pesos per day, whereas the wage in the factory before it was closed was 196 pesos plus 12 pesos transport allowance per day.

The company has said that it is transferring its operations to Hong Kong. However, the workers know that Grosby has started a new operation elsewhere in Manila, with new workers on lower wages. Prior to ceasing production, the factory would close from May to August every year without pay.

Of the 200 workers sacked, 180 were members of the SANAMA-UWP (United Workers of the Philippines). The company refused to negotiate with the union on redundancy pay, saying it would deal only with individual workers. Redundancy payments range from 40,000 pesos to 70,000 pesos depending on length of service (9 to 16 years).

The picketers said that only 10 of the former employees had managed to find work.

The UWP had lodged a complaint with the Labor Board which is due to be heard on April 28. The result may be that the company renegotiates higher redundancy pay-outs. The board also has the power to sell the factory's machinery and distribute the money among the workers.

Messages and financial support can be sent c/- Lina Magtagnog, Union President, DBP Avenue, FTI Compound, Metro Manila.

From GLW issue 140