About 200 members of Kadamay, Gabriela, Alyansang Makabayan, Worker Movement for Change and Kilusang Mayo Uno descended on the Marilao factory of NutriAsia last night and early this morning to support an illegal picket by employees of a third-party toll packer company.
These 3rd party employees put up a union called Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng NutriAsia, Inc.—Independent Union, and falsely claimed in their filings with the Department of Labor and Employment that they are Nutriasia employees.
There is also no truth to their claims that the DoLE has issued an order to make them regular NutriAsia employees. These people are employees of B-Mirk Enterprise Inc., a legitimate toll packer company. B-Mirk also provides services to several local and multinational companies.
The picket has stopped factory operations starting Saturday, May 2, since the group locked up NutriAsia-Marilao plant gates to prevent ingress and egress.
Nutriasia management said it will continue to recognize the right to organize and peaceful assembly. However, due to the “illegal prevention of ingress and egress resulting in the work stoppage and detention of some of our personnel inside the plant,” the management has sought has sought police assistance to maintain peace and order at the picket and protect the company’s property and assets. NutriAsia is also seeking court intervention to order the lifting of the picket.