Union wins negotiations, Honda workers to receive 280% separation pay

Before Honda Philippines’ Sta. Rosa factory ceases its operation later this month, hundreds of laid-off Honda workers won their battle on separation packages as they made their employer vow to give above minimum separation pay and lengthen the duration of their medical benefits.

The decision was made after both parties of Lakas Manggagawang Nagkakaisa sa Honda (LMNH-OLALIA-KMU) and the Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) sat down together on Friday at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) Region IV-A office.

Upon their negotiation, HCPI agreed to the union’s demands that every worker should be given a separation pay amounting to 280% of his monthly wage, in consideration to the workers’ years of service, and add a P110,000 lump sum amount of compensation. Every worker’s medical insurance coverage will be also extended up until December 2020, which initially set to expire this month.

In addition, the company also promised their workers that they will be put into hiring priority in vacant positions, once they go back again into operations in the country.

Prior to this, several protests have been initiated  by the workers since last week to amplify their concerns regarding the immediate shutdown of the company’s country operations on March 25, 2020 (READ: Honda workers protest as shutdown nears, bit.ly/HondaShutdown)

Strength of militant unionism

According to LMNH-OLALIA-KMU, this shows how strong collective actions made by the workers can obliged their companies to hear their calls and act upon it.

“Pinatunayan nitong walang ibang aasahan ang manggagawa kundi ang pagkakaisa at pagkilos laban sa atake ng kapitalista… ang bakal na pagkakaisa ng manggagawa ang naging susi para makamit ang mas mataas sa batas na separation package at maayos na makapagsimula uli,” they said.

The labor union also highlighted that they got their demands without the help of the current national government, as they belittle the company’s  closure without knowing how severe the impacts could be on the workers’ lives.

Considering the current economic situation of the country, they also called the workers who experience the same situation with Honda, alongside with other companies, to unite and organize to fight unfair working conditions and practices.

“Sa ganitong sitwasyon, palaging kailangan ng mga manggagawa na mag-organisa para bigkisin at ipaglaban ang nakabubuhay na sahod, maayos na benipisyo at kaseguruhan sa trabaho.” the union explained. [P]

Photo via PAMANTIK-KMU