MARIVELES, Bataan – Former workers of the Bataan Economic Zone (BEZ) absorbed by the newly-created Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) in Mariveles town on Tuesday held a one-hour rally and protested against the alleged non-release of benefits due them by the new management.
Raul Soldevilla, president of the Philippine Economic Zone Employees Association, said they would continue with their protest everyday until AFAB releases the remuneration they used to get from the BEZ when it was still under PEZA.
They conducted their first mass action from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
He said many of the 12,000-strong workers of various enterprises in the former Bataan ecozone have signified their willingness to join them in their protest. .
“Kung ayaw niyo ng kapayapaan at gusto niyo gulo, ibibigay namin sa inyo,” Soldevilla said.
The rallyists shouted “benepisyo ng manggagawa, ibigay mo na” and walked around the administration building.
Affected are 61 workers connected with the former Bataan Export Processing Zone turned into BEZ then converted into AFAB under Republic Act 9728 principally sponsored by Rep. Albert Garcia of Bataan’s Second District. The Freeport Area of Bataan took over BEZ-PEZA on June 29, 2010.
Soldevilla said they are demanding for cash gift of P50,000, step increment (10% of basic pay for three years of continuous service) and E-card for hospitalization of up to P200,000 that they have been receiving from PEZA for years.
He said that PEZA used to disburse to them the cash gift during the first week of October.
However, he said they do not understand why the new management has not released the amount yet when PEZA has already transferred to AFAB more than P57 million. He said only about P3 million are needed for their cash gifts.
He said step increment and hospitalization benefits should be also be given since most of them are getting old and have served the company for more than 30 years. Soldevilla himself has been with the Bataan ecozone for 36 years.
“Hindi naman kami humihingi ng dagdag kundi iyon lamang dati na naming tinatanggap ang ibigay,” the employees’ president said.
Local mediamen tried but failed to contact AFAB chairman and administrator Deogracias Custodio or any of his deputy or member of the Board of Directors. Two female employees in the office of the AFAB chairman said Custodio and BOD members and other officials were in a meeting in Bagac, Bataan.
Bagac, famous for its sandy beaches along the South China Sea, is about 70 kilometers from Mariveles.
Raul Soldevilla, president of the Philippine Economic Zone Employees Association, said they would continue with their protest everyday until AFAB releases the remuneration they used to get from the BEZ when it was still under PEZA.
They conducted their first mass action from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
He said many of the 12,000-strong workers of various enterprises in the former Bataan ecozone have signified their willingness to join them in their protest. .
“Kung ayaw niyo ng kapayapaan at gusto niyo gulo, ibibigay namin sa inyo,” Soldevilla said.
The rallyists shouted “benepisyo ng manggagawa, ibigay mo na” and walked around the administration building.
Affected are 61 workers connected with the former Bataan Export Processing Zone turned into BEZ then converted into AFAB under Republic Act 9728 principally sponsored by Rep. Albert Garcia of Bataan’s Second District. The Freeport Area of Bataan took over BEZ-PEZA on June 29, 2010.
Soldevilla said they are demanding for cash gift of P50,000, step increment (10% of basic pay for three years of continuous service) and E-card for hospitalization of up to P200,000 that they have been receiving from PEZA for years.
He said that PEZA used to disburse to them the cash gift during the first week of October.
However, he said they do not understand why the new management has not released the amount yet when PEZA has already transferred to AFAB more than P57 million. He said only about P3 million are needed for their cash gifts.
He said step increment and hospitalization benefits should be also be given since most of them are getting old and have served the company for more than 30 years. Soldevilla himself has been with the Bataan ecozone for 36 years.
“Hindi naman kami humihingi ng dagdag kundi iyon lamang dati na naming tinatanggap ang ibigay,” the employees’ president said.
Local mediamen tried but failed to contact AFAB chairman and administrator Deogracias Custodio or any of his deputy or member of the Board of Directors. Two female employees in the office of the AFAB chairman said Custodio and BOD members and other officials were in a meeting in Bagac, Bataan.
Bagac, famous for its sandy beaches along the South China Sea, is about 70 kilometers from Mariveles.
