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Philex bars miner from work

Tuba, Benguet (Nov. 25) — Philex Mining Company (Philex) refused to pay one of the private contractors who render contract projects to the mining company until the contractor removes one of his workers.

Philex ordered the contractor to stop hiring James Tulipa because of being an organizer and member of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Cordillera. Philex alleged Tulipa of “creating confusions among the mineworkers and organizing them to break away from the National Miners and Allied Workers’ Union (NAMAWU-Local 101)”.

Tulipa on the other hand did not disclaim the fact that he is an organizer and spokesperson of KMU-Cordillera but denied promoting disarray among the workers. Tulipa explained that he is legally working inside Philex as a hired contract worker and there is nothing wrong in organizing his co-workers. He cited the right to organize as stated in Article III of the Philippine Constitution.

KMU-Cordillera denounced such move by the company. “They fear that the union they controlled for so long will slip from their hands once its members and officers turn to genuine unionism”, Tulipa said.

Tulipa claimed that it is the company, and some “crooked union officials” that create paranoia and black propaganda to the workers that once the KMU leads the union, it (KMU) will close the mines.

When Tulipa returned to work from a break on All Saints Day, he was informed that Philex was pressuring his contractor not to accept him back. According to the contractor, Philex will not pay him until he will proves that Tulipa no longer works for him.

KMU-Cordillera Regional Coordinator Lorico Espejo expressed KMU’s full support to Tulipa and condemned Philex for being unfair. He said that Philex’s denial of work to Tulipa is not only a case of removing a person’s right to work, but also a case where a worker’s right to organize is violated.

Meanwhile, NAMAWU Local 101 officials remained silent on the matter. # Aldwin Quitasol for NORDIS

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