Workers at Cavite glove factory protest dismissals of 60 employees

Workers at Cavite glove factory protest dismissals of 60 employees

CAVITE — Workers at Cavite Manufacturing Co. Inc., known as CAMANCO, held a protest Nov. 3 to denounce what they called illegal dismissals of colleagues that began in February.

The workers said 60 employees had been let go as of October out of a workforce of 240. The company is located in the Cavite Economic Zone and is registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, or PEZA.

Of the 240 workers, 100 are regular employees and 140 are contractual workers under Manpower and General Services, which the workers described as a partner of CAMANCO in a system of contractualization.

CAMANCO makes industrial work gloves and safety gear for Magid Glove & Safety USA, including knitted and woven gloves exported to North America.

The protesters said management has repeatedly cited a lack of orders as the reason for cutting staff. They alleged the orders have not disappeared but are being shifted to in-house and home-based subcontractors to cut production costs.

The workers accused the company of illegal dismissal and of violating employees’ rights, particularly by using subcontracting to avoid paying proper wages and benefits. They also questioned an alleged violation of Department Order No. 174 of the Department of Labor and Employment, which sets rules on contracting and subcontracting.

The workers said they have filed complaints with PEZA and the DOLE regional office in Calabarzon seeking an investigation.

Their demands include an immediate probe and an end to the alleged illegal in-house and home-based subcontracting. They also want orders moved to subcontractors returned to the factory and dismissed workers reinstated without conditions.

The workers further demanded regularization of contractual employees they said are covered by a labor-only contracting arrangement between CAMANCO and Manpower and General Services. They also want all machines taken out of the factory and sent to subcontractors returned.

The workers called on PEZA and DOLE to act on their complaints and protect their labor rights.

The allegations are based on statements from the protesting workers. No official result of an investigation or response from the companies involved has been made public.