Led by the Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation Workers’ Association (TMPCWA), Toyota workers picketed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office in Intramuros, Manila on January 26. They demanded that the agency resolve with finality the over 25-year case of illegal dismissal and the continuing denial of their right to collective bargaining.
In 2001, Toyota “illegally dismissed” more than 230 union members after asserting the union’s right to negotiate a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the company.
The union mounted a strike in March 2001 following the mass dismissal. The company dismissed four more union members in August that year. The workers came from cities in Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno–National Capital Region (KMU-NCR) joined the protest and supported the union’s call. The group said that the International Labour Organization (ILO) had already issued recommendations in previous years for the Philippine government to resolve the labor dispute at Toyota.
It added that DOLE had been tasked to act in order to advance settlement of the case and ensure compliance with labor rights standards. The group expressed dismay that these recommendations remain unimplemented to date.
“The prevailing 25-year labor dispute reflects the absence of genuine protection for workers’ rights, especially against big foreign corporations,” KMU-NCR said. The group added that the union and Toyota workers will continue their struggle for justice until the issue is resolved.
