CEBU CITY - More workers in companies inside Mactan Export
Processing Zone (MEPZ) are set lose their jobs as electronics and
automotive parts companies remain affected by the global financial
crisis.

The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment has
identified the export industry as most affected by the global economic
downturn, in particular, the furniture, automotive parts, electronics,
and car industries.

Partido Manggagawa said it has received reports that two companies in
MEPZ will retrench more workers.

Dennis Darige of PM said that by August, Celestica, a Canadian-owned
electronics company will retrench 900 workers. DOLE-7 said that the
company will focus on its plants in China and in Thailand where there is
cheaper labor cost.

Darige said that 600 of Celestica’s workers will receive 45 days per
year of service separation pay.

There is still however, ongoing talks between the remaining 300
workers of an employment agency and Celestica if they too will receive
separation pay and benefits.

The agency of the workers, Cebu General Services Incorporated,
however assured that it will make sure that the workers under them will
be paid.

Darige said that if there will be no settlement between the agency
and the company, the workers’ group would raise the matter to the
National Labor Relations Commission for illegal dismissal and if still
necessary to the National Mediation and Conciliation Board to look into a
possible solution.

Lear Corporation meanwhile, which has already retrenched 850 workers
since last year, is expected to lay off its remaining 2,000 workers.
This is after their office in the US declared bankruptcy.

Darige said that the first and second batch of workers earlier
retrenched have already received their separation pay which was only 15
days per year of service. Darige said the company has already informed
DOLE-7 on their plans to stop their operations.

Since last month the company has been using only one plant instead of
its four. Darige said that there are ongoing talks between the workers
and the management regarding their separation pay. 

By Carine M. Asutilla, ABS-CBN News Central Visayas ( http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/07/09/09/more-workers-cebu-export-zone-face-lay)