The workers group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Thursday appealed to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso to look after the welfare of daily-paid Isetann employees who were displaced following the City Hall order to shut down the operations of the mall.
Domagoso ordered the closure of Isetann Mall along Recto Avenue after finding that its management, the Tri-Union Properties Inc. was operating as a lessor allegedly without the necessary business permit.
“We respect the executive judgment prerogative of Yorme Isko to shut down the entire operations of Isetann department store over the management’s non-compliance with city ordinances. We support his bold resolve to address the city’s deeply-seated problems but we hope there’s a way forward to restore the jobs of Isetann employees or some kind of assistance for them while they have no income,” TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said in a statement.
The TUCP said the employees are the ones who suffer the most with the mall owners’ non-compliance with city ordinances. In order to lift the closure ban and for workers to return to work, the labor group urges the Isetann management to immediately comply with requirements of the city ordinance.
Among those economically affected by the closure order, Mendoza said, are employees such as salesladies and rank-and-file who are covered by the ‘no-work, no-pay’ policy.
“Because Isetann management did not abide with the law, the employees lose their salaries and wages. In this case, employees suffer the consequences of the management’s violation. We urge the Isetann management to immediately comply with the licenses and permits required by the city government needed for the resumption of mall operations so that all the employees can return to work,” Mendoza said.
The Manila mayor had said that Isetann mall may reopen once its management is able to comply with the requirements of the local government.