Axed workers want brgy officials to intervene in labor row

CEBU, Philippines - Terminated workers of Carmen Copper Corporation have asked barangay officials whose jurisdictions are within the company's location to intervene in the ongoing labor row.

Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu spokesman Dennis Derige said yesterday that there are six barangays within the company and under the Mining Law, residents where a mining firm is situated should be the priority in terms of employment.

"Pero ang nahitabo karon nga ang residents nga nagtrabaho sa mining company mao na man hinuon ang gipang-terminate. That is why we are appealing to them to intervene as mandated under the law," Derige said.

   The six barangays, he said, are Das Lutopan, Biga, Media Once, Pandung Bato, Cantabaco and Poog. 

 On Friday, some of the terminated workers will march to the DOLE-7 office and submit their protest letter urging the DOLE to intervene in their labor problem.

Two weeks ago, around 500 CCC employees who were mostly members of the Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Carmen Copper Corporation-Alliance of Genuine Labor Organization (PAMCC-AGLO) and assisted by PM-Cebu, were terminated from work.

The termination will on June 5, 2016.

  Derige added that they also received information that more than a thousand regular employees will be due for termination.

Earlier, in an official statement, CCC said that the termination of a number of its employees is part of a broad restructuring the company is undertaking to ensure its long term viability amid current market conditions. — (FREEMAN)