Despite the public health crisis and a lockdown looming in the region of Luzon, workers of PLG Prime Global (PLGPG) in Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park in Bataan are continuing due to the exemption of work suspension in export-oriented processing zones.
However, the inhumane conditions of workers in PLGPG are documented. Social distancing, as advised by the national government to be strictly observed and implemented, is not being followed, with waiting and locking areas crowded with workers. There is also no distribution of hygiene kits in the workplace. Transportation, factory and meal allowance, are not shouldered by the company.
Workers’ Movement for Change – Central Luzon
The policy of PLGPG is “no work, no pay”, and with three absences means the immediate substitution of the workers. Workers’ Movement for Change – Central Luzon (WMC-CL) protested, saying that even if the workers are not forced to enter to work, they have been left with no choice but to comply especially with the policies and practices that seem to disregard the welfare of the workers.
PLGPG is also using the additional 10% compensation fee, which only translates to 42 pesos, to attract the workers in submitting. WMC-CL appeals to the national government, offering four salient points to prevent the situations in PLGPG emerge in other regions of Luzon.
1.Suspension of “No work, no pay” policy and give the workers from public and private sector one month salary;
2. Make sure that DOLE’s financial assistance, free transportation and food allowance in the vital industries, were strictly given to the workers;
3. Allow workers to absent due to the health crisis with no deductions with their supposed salaries; and
4. Strictly implement safety measures and distribute hygiene and protective kits for the workers for their welfare.
The Catalyst 