NEWS - Striking Workers of Sharp Ph

[TheTruth@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Striking Workers of Sharp Philippines Harassed

Title: Striking Workers of Sharp Philippines Harassed
Author: KMU Philippines <kmuid@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: 11-SEP-1999
Source: <struggs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DAMN's labor topic specialist
Reference: Australia Asia Worker Links

At 1 a.m. of 10 September  1999, some 30 goons hired by the management
of Sharp Philippines Inc. attacked the picketline of striking workers
under the 545-strong Sharp Philippines Electronics Workers Union
(SPEWU).

At that time, some 90 workers,  majority of whom are females,  were
manning  the  picketline.  They were sitting in front of the gates of
the company when the goons attempted to let some 10 trucks of Sharp
Philippines enter the compound.

Workers were dragged from the picketline and were beaten by the goons.
Seven workers had bruises and lesions as a result.   Another worker, Roy
Maglique was hit by a steel bar on the head and had to be hospitalized.

The workers said they saw the goons went to the police, several meters
away  from the picketline, before they attacked them.  Apparently, it
was to ask for a go-signal to enter the compound.  This is a clear proof
of connivance between the military and the management.

This was the second time the picketline was harassed. A day earlier,
goons also attacked the picketline and tore down one part of the
picketline, after the temporary restraining order was served.

The union has been on strike since 25 August 1999.  Fifty seven (57)
union members of Sharp Philippines Corporation were terminated on 23
August 1999, after the union held a two-week protest action inside the
company premises to pressure the management to act on their grievances
and demands.

Among the issues faced by the workers are the non-implementation of the
10% wage increase stipulated in their Collective Bargaining Agreement
(CBA), non-implementation of the P29 legislated wage increase in the
year 1990, and other non-economic issues such as threat to job security.
The SPEWU needs your support.  Please send protest messages to:

Mr. Shigeo Kashimi
President
SHARP PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
Km. 23 West Service Rd.,
South Super Hi-way, Muntinlupa City
PHILIPPINES

Hon. Bienvenido Laguesma
Labor Secretary
Department of Labor and Employment
Intramuros, Manila, PHILIPPINES
Fax   :  (63-2) 527 3560
E-mail:   dolemis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Solidarity messages can be sent to:

Mr. Alfredo Sintor, President
SHARP PHILIPPINES ELECTRONICS WORKERS UNION (SPEWU)
c/o KMU International Department
37-A Quinto's Compound
Brgy. Kristong Hari, Quezon City 1112
PHILIPPINES

 Telefax: (63-2) 725 6781
 E-mail: kmuid@xxxxxxxxxx

For more information, contact:

Australia Asia Worker Links
PO Box 264 Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia
Tel: 03 9419 5045   Fax: 03 9416 2746
E-mail: aawl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx