The workers of Sanyo Capacitor Philippines Corporation
in Central Luzon felt they deserve a better life at work, so they formed a
union in record time. In 60 days, they have met in four focused group
discussions, decided they will join with co-workers to gain a voice on the
job, planned their organizing campaign, approved the union constitution
and by-laws, and finally registered their union on January 3, 2002. They
filed a petition for certification election for recognition as the
bargaining agent for the company's workers on January 20, 2002.
That was the easy part.
That was when the intimidation, threats, harassment,
from the employer started. Management even suggested that they form a LMC
(labor-management council) in place of the union.
The company was a relatively reasonable company, until
the union started. Except for the regular 12-hour days. Except for the
orientations against joining unions and demonstrations for new workers.
Except for the threats of the company closing if a union wins. Except for
threats of blacklisting for union sympathizers. Those were normal, par for
the course, in organizing unions in the Philippines!
Our Sweatshops verifiers and organizers are trained to
expect and cope with harsh and illegal employer tactics, and more. But
this brazen violation of human rights was something else! -- The company
hired a security officer to spy full-time on the union president! He
follows wherever the president goes, in the canteen, in smoking areas,
even in the toilet!
Read about it, and other things, in the Sweatshop verifier's own
letter to the company president calling attention to the company's
violation of Philippine laws and the JOEA and the OECD Guidelines.
