Workers protest 'sudden layoffs' at Wyeth Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) — Workers from Wyeth Nutrition Philippines on Friday filed a notice of strike at the regional National Conciliation and Mediation Board office because of the alleged sudden dismissal of 140 workers of the company's Canlubang plant in Laguna.

Wyeth Philippines Progressive Workers Union President Debie Faigmani said 140 workers, including 125 union members and 10 officials, were barred from going to work on Thursday without prior warning.

The "unfair labor practice" is a clear violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement or CBA between the union and the management, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno said.

The group added that workers had been reporting layoff threats in the previous weeks but the Wyeth-Nestle management failed to face them for a dialogue.

In a statement sent to CNN Philippines, Wyeth Nutrition Philippines claimed there was a dialogue with the union officers, adding that they were encouraged to allow their members to enter the factory on Thursday.

The nutrition firm also said they have informed their employees that the Canlubang factory will undergo "organizational restructuring" to keep the company running amid challenging market conditions.

"No lock-out was implemented by Wyeth management," the statement read. "We fully respect our employees' rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of assembly."

In a bid to minimize the impact of the layoffs, the company said employees will be receiving separation packages more than what the law requires.