The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) expresses its deep concern over the injunction imposed by the Labor Secretary on the strike of motorcycle company Kawasaki. We demand that the Labor Department compel the company to reinstate the seven (7) unionists whom it retrenched and heed the workers’ demands for higher pay.

Last November 7, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma assumed jurisdiction over the 170-day strike of the workers of Kawasaki Motors (Phils.) Corporation. The workers were ordered to return to work and the workers and the company were ordered to revert to status quo ante, or the situation before the strike.

However, as the workers were returning to work, four (4) union leaders and three (3) union members were barred from entering the factory premises in Muntinlupa City. The company guards said they were merely implementing orders from the management, and no management representative was present to talk to the workers who immediately protested the management action.

The Kawasaki workers, led by the Kawasaki United Labor Union (KULU) launched a strike on May 21, 2025 to demand a higher wage in negotiations for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which have been in formal deadlock since August 2024. The workers complained that the company management has refused to respond to their demand for a 12% wage hike and has even rejected its initial proposal of a 7% wage hike.

Laguesma’s assumption of jurisidiction over the Kawasaki labor dispute violates many workers’ rights. It tramples on the Kawasaki workers’ right to a living wage, to collectively bargain and to strike. The Kawasaki management has taken advantage of the injunction to violate workers’ right to security of tenure and to freedom of association. This is most offensive to workers.

At the very least, Laguesma and the DOLE should order Kawasaki to reinstate the seven unionists that the company retrenched by piggybacking on the implementation of the assumption of jurisdiction. They should also find a way to make the management and the workers resume the stalled negotiations for a CBA. Kawasaki’s refusal to bargain is simply unacceptable.

We recognize the Kawasaki management’s claim that it has agreed to good wages and benefits for its workers for years. At the same time, we urge it to recognize the worsening cost of living crisis that is affecting its workers and all Filipino workers. It should sustain its good record in upholding labor rights in order to actually put enough food on workers’ dinner table.