Business groups urge government to enforce law on PAL premises

Manila Bulletin
November 3, 2011
By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat

MANILA, Philippines — Business groups have called on government to enforce the rule of law fairly to everyone as they rally behind the beleaguered Philippine Airlines where former employees have camped out in its premises in Pasay City blocking and disrupting their day to day operations.

In a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Philippine Industries and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry have expressed the same sentiments that government should equally enforce the rule of law to all.

PCCI president Francis Chua said his group wants an immediate resolution of the dispute between PAL and its former workers, citing that industrial peace is key to success in any business.

“PCCI is definitely supporting business and industry, but we must also look at the interest of the labor sector. Labor is an indispensable element in wealth formation,” he said.

FPI president Jesus Arranza said that PAL is not the only company which had been harassed by former employees citing first hand experiences.

“Definitely, we are supporting PAL and we support the rule of law as Mayor Lim said ‘the law should be applied to all or not at all’,” Arranza said.

In particular, Arranza has called on the Department of Labor and Employment to act on the PAL situation swiftly.

“DoLE should take action in the same way that we have to protect employees,” he said noting that some labor arbiters normally have soft side for the labor sector.

What is happening now in PAL, Arranza said is a “tyranny of the minority.”

“We are asking only for fair play because because there are bad and good employees in the same way that not all employers are good,” he said.

He further said that what is happening now in PAL is not conducive to business, even local investors will be discouraged.

For its part, the FFCCCI appealed to government, particularly concerned law enforcement agencies, to act swiftly on the standoff between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its former employees as the conflict is triggering anxiety among local and foreign investors.

"We are requesting authorities to take a more direct hand in resolving the impasse before things get out of control. The recent turn of events where former PAL workers resorted to harassment and intimidation tactics at their picket line, impeded the airline’s operations," said FFCCCI president Tan Ching.

The group said businesses recognize workers’ right to air their grievances, but said it hopes employees are also aware that employers have rights, too. The FFCCCI said it wishes the problem would be resolved soon like what the Australian government had done in the case of its flag carrier Qantas Airlines.

"A quick resolution of the dispute at PAL would certainly be more conducive to the country’s business climate," he added.

The business groups issued this appeal after flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) sought their help to press government for quicker and more decisive response against harassment of private enterprises.

In a statement, PAL said it is calling on business groups like the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCI) and others to collectively appeal for better protection of businesses which are prevented from freely pursuing their trade.

PAL said it is in the best interest of all private businesses, big or small, to protect themselves against harassment like illegal blockades by former workers who have been validly and legally dismissed.

“The recent incident where PAL’s catering truck was blocked by protesting former workers armed with truncheons and planks with nails is one clear example of this kind of harassment seemingly tolerated by police authorities,” the airline stressed.

PAL expressed frustration that it has complained and sought the help of almost all relevant government agencies “to no avail”. Todate, it said the airline continues to suffer since its service providers and cabin crew are unable to use PAL’s facility along MIA Road, Pasay City where laid off workers have set up camp.

“Continuing police inaction against all forms of harassment perpetrated by dismissed workers only served to embolden these illegal occupants of PAL’s property,” it stressed.