An appeal from the workers of Triumph International Philippines Incorporated

We are the displaced workers of Triumph International Philippines Incorporated who were unjustly laid off by the company last June 27, 2009.  Many of us have served the underwear company for more than 30 years before the lay-off.

For almost 8 months, series of meetings transpired in the National Mediation Conciliatory Board-Department of Labor and Employment. Yet, Triumph International has been blind and deaf to our just demands for higher severance pay and other benefits. Many of our colleagues were forced to accept the offered severance package because of hunger and poverty. 

We staged our picket line since May 2009 when we experienced demolition of our picket by “goons” and security forces of the Food Terminal Incorporated-owned and controlled by the government.   Since then, we experience constant threat, harassment and surveillance of our collective action in the picket line.

We are upset by the declaration of the global management of Triumph International through Mr. Kenneth Marshall on January 19, 2009 that Food Terminal Incorporated has taken control of Triumph International Philippine Incorporated factory. Triumph International Philippine Incorporated has relinquished tenancy to FTI.

We are bothered by the recent threat and harassment of the security forces of the Food Terminal Incorporated. On January 21, Food Terminal Incorporated took over the TIPI factory, ordered the workers to clear the area and will execute appropriate actions in due course.

We are also saddened by the statement of the Food Terminal Incorporated that our collective and democratic action in the picket line is unlawful and embarrassing; ordering us to leave and vacate our picket line and demanding P1.5 million from us as payment of damages.

We have exerted all our efforts and continue to find ways for a peaceful and non violent means with Triumph International, Department of Labor and Employment, Food Terminal Incorporated and the local government of Taguig City.

Once again, we appeal to all our fellow workers-unions, works council and international labor organizations, solidarity groups, worker’s rights advocates, human rights defenders, non government organizations, fellow citizens and concerned people to support our demands:

• Call to the Philippine Government to stop the harassment and threat against the striking workers of Triumph International.
• Call to Triumph International to start a constructive and productive negotiation with our union, Bagong Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Triumph International and give the just demands of the workers for just and higher compensation and benefits.
• Call to Triumph International and the Philippine Government to turn over the sewing machines and other factory machines that can be used in starting up a workers’ cooperative which will be ran by the displaced workers of Triumph International.
• Call to Triumph International and Food Terminal Incorporated to stop relocating/moving out the TIPI equipments and raw materials until such time the dispute between the workers and the company has not been settled.
• Support our complaint filed at the Swiss OECD National Contact Point regarding the “Unjust Lay-off in the Philippines and Thailand” committed by Triumph International.Please send your appeal or protest letters to:

Triumph International global headquarters:
TRIUMPHWEG 6, BAD ZURZACH, CH-5330, SWITZERLAND
FAX: 41 056 269 93 30
TELEPHONE: 41 056 269 91 91
WEBSITE: http://www.triumph.com

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT-PHILIPPINES
Muralla St. cor. Gen. Luna St., Intramuros
1002 Manila
Philippines
Secretary Marianito Roque: 527-3000 Loc. 701 up to 707, 527-2121, 301-0182, 527-5523
Email: roquemd@dole.gov.ph

Food Terminal Incorporated
Maria Theresa A. Pinto
Vice-Chairman/President
Direct Line: 828-2122
Fax Number: 828-2123
E-mail Address: taspinto33@yahoo.com
New Administration Bldg. FTI Complex, East Service Road, South Superhighway, Taguig City, Philippines
 

Mayor Freddie Tinga
TAGUIG CITY HALL
General Luna Street, Tuktukan, Taguig City
+63 2) 628-1999 local 300 - 305
Email: FT@taguig.gov.ph

Swiss Embassy-Philippines:
Email: vertretung@eda.admin.ch
Telephone: 757-9000
Fax: 757-3718
Address: 24th Floor, Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo de Roxas, 1226 Makati City


And please furnish a copy to: defendjobphilippines@yahoo.com and to bpmti_workers@yahoo.com