Business Mirror
November 3, 2011
By Max V. De Leon
BUSINESS groups are seeking government intervention to finally end the confrontations between Philippine Airlines (PAL) and its former employees as these could give investors the impression that the rights of businesses are not being properly protected here.
Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) Chairman Jesus L. Arranza also urged the protesting dismissed employees of PAL to take the legal course and seek redress in a civil manner.
“If they have been dismissed, they still have the right to go to court. Let the law prevail. The government, on the other hand, should not hesitate in implementing the law. If this problem persists, it will certainly cause a setback to investments because law and order is important to businessmen,” Arranza said.
The government, he said, should make sure fairness is accorded to both business and labor.
The row between PAL and its former workers escalated recently. In one incident, a truck of PAL was blocked allegedly by some of the dismissed workers while leaving its In-Flight Center on MIA Road.
The picketing PAL employees, on the other hand, accused the management of the Philippine flag carrier of using goons to harass them.
The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI) also appealed to law-enforcement agencies to prevent potential clashes between PAL and its former employees.
It said the conflict is triggering anxiety among local and foreign investors.
“We’re 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,” FFCCCI President Tan Ching said.
The group said businesses recognize the right of workers to air their grievances, and hopes the employees are aware that employers have their rights also.
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, which grounded its flights worldwide just on Saturday but whose planes returned to the skies after just two days.
“A quick resolution of the dispute at PAL would certainly be more conducive to the country’s business climate,” Ching said.
PAL has called on business groups to collectively appeal for better protection of businesses, noting that “it is in the best interest of all private businesses, big or small, to protect themselves against harassments like illegal blockades by former workers who have been validly and legally dismissed.”
Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the alleged attack by hired goons at the picket line of striking members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (Palea).
A team from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now investigating the incident that occured on the early morning of October 29 which reportedly caused injury to seven Palea members and unconfirmed death of a security guard who was suffocated by tear gas, Baldoz said in a statement on Wednesday.
The DOLE monitoring team dispatched to the area is also coordinating with with the aviation police handling the case.
The labor chief stressed that “the attack is uncalled for,” as she called on members of the Philippine
National Police to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the protesting union members.
“We also reiterate our earlier call for sobriety on the part of PAL management and the Palea,” Baldoz said.
“We also call for the conduct of a swift and fair investigation to determine the truth behind this unfortunate incident.”
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