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10 August, 2005The IMF seeks a satisfactory resolution for the workers and their union at a Toyota plant in the Philippines whose trade union rights have been violated by the company in an ongoing dispute.
PHILIPPINES: Despite a Supreme Court decision and an International Labour Organisation (ILO) ruling in the workers' favour, the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation continues to overlook the fundamental rights of workers at its plant.
The Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers' Association (TMPCWA) first sought certification as the bargaining agent at the plant in February 1999, a move that was vigorously opposed by the company. Certified in October 2000, the TMPCWA submitted a collective bargaining proposal to the company.
The company again appealed the certification of the union and the government called for a hearing on the issue. Dismayed by this turn of events, the workers staged a peaceful protest during the hearing.
In response the company dismissed 227 union officers and members and suspended 64 union members for 30 days for taking part in the peaceful assembly. Meanwhile the government once again confirmed the certification of TMPCWA as the collective bargaining agent.
The union took strike action in March 2001 calling for the reinstatement of the workers. This strike was eventually violently dispersed by police and security guards and the government's labour relations commission stepped in to mediate the dispute, ultimately ruling in favour of the company.
The TMPCWA then lodged a complaint with the ILO, which ruled in November 2003 that the company had infringed on the workers' rights to freedom of association and their rights to bargain collectively. The Supreme Court of the Philippines has also ruled in favour of the union.
Despite both of these rulings the company refuses to recognise the union, will not reinstate workers sacked for trade union activities and fails to negotiate a collective agreement.
The IMF fully supports the TMPCWA's efforts to have its fundamental trade union rights recognised by Toyota, and is appalled by the anti-union stance taken by the company.
The IMF is consulting with its affiliates in Japan to find a satisfactory resolution for the union and workers in the Philippines.
The Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers' Association (TMPCWA) first sought certification as the bargaining agent at the plant in February 1999, a move that was vigorously opposed by the company. Certified in October 2000, the TMPCWA submitted a collective bargaining proposal to the company.
The company again appealed the certification of the union and the government called for a hearing on the issue. Dismayed by this turn of events, the workers staged a peaceful protest during the hearing.
In response the company dismissed 227 union officers and members and suspended 64 union members for 30 days for taking part in the peaceful assembly. Meanwhile the government once again confirmed the certification of TMPCWA as the collective bargaining agent.
The union took strike action in March 2001 calling for the reinstatement of the workers. This strike was eventually violently dispersed by police and security guards and the government's labour relations commission stepped in to mediate the dispute, ultimately ruling in favour of the company.
The TMPCWA then lodged a complaint with the ILO, which ruled in November 2003 that the company had infringed on the workers' rights to freedom of association and their rights to bargain collectively. The Supreme Court of the Philippines has also ruled in favour of the union.
Despite both of these rulings the company refuses to recognise the union, will not reinstate workers sacked for trade union activities and fails to negotiate a collective agreement.
The IMF fully supports the TMPCWA's efforts to have its fundamental trade union rights recognised by Toyota, and is appalled by the anti-union stance taken by the company.
The IMF is consulting with its affiliates in Japan to find a satisfactory resolution for the union and workers in the Philippines.