A labor NGO condemned today the mass layoff carried out by one of billionaire Ramon Ang’s companies for denying the affected workers and their families a stable source of income amidst the soaring cost of living and busting the workers’ union.

The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) said that the government should investigate the layoff of around 800 workers by the San Miguel Integrated Logistics Services Inc., a primary subsidiary of Ang’s San Miguel Corporation located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, for violations of labor rights.

“The second-richest Filipino globally is perfectly capable of upholding and improving the labor rights of the workers that he employs. It is revolting that his company has denied a steady source of income to its workers and violated their right to unionize,” said Kamz Deligente, CTUHR executive director.

The workers, represented by the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa San Miguel Logistics – Independent (USMILSI-IND), reported that the company, which provides storage and transportation services to Magnolia, Purefoods and other San Miguel companies, placed around 800 workers in its logistics services on floating status after supposedly losing in a bidding process.

“Workers have every reason to doubt the management’s claim that they are being laid off because of the outcome of a bidding process. Even if true, this should not have an immediate and drastic effect on workers to the point of violating legal procedures for termination,” added Deligente.

USMILSI-IND says that the National Labor Relations Commission released a decision on April 27 ordering the company to engage in Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations with the workers.

The union won a Certification Election in September 2023 and was recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as the workers’ sole and exclusive bargaining agent in December 2023.

“San Miguel Integrated Logistics Services Inc appears to be violating not only its workers’ right to job security but their right to unionize and collectively bargain as well. It does not want even a modest reduction in its profits, which improving the state of its workers’ labor rights would entail,” Deligente said.

CTUHR called on the DOLE to investigate the mass layoffs, saying that the government agency should be more steadfast in defending workers’ rights to security of tenure, unionize, and collectively bargain as workers need their jobs to cope with the high and rising cost of living.