Gabriela Partylist Representative Sarah Elago is calling on Congress to investigate Kowloon House’s alleged mass termination of workers, which labor groups describe as retaliatory following complaints that employees were not paid wages on time and that service charges were withheld. Elago stressed that Philippine labor law prohibits retaliatory actions against workers engaged in legitimate organizing. She warned that inaction would undermine constitutional guarantees including security of tenure, collective bargaining, and protection from unjust dismissal. On Labor Day, Elago joined Makabayan bloc protests demanding VAT removal and a P1,200 national minimum wage.
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It further noted that the shift was a retaliatory action of the company given the recent allegations that workers did not properly receive wages on time and that service charges were pocketed instead of being given.
“Ayon sa umiiral na batas paggawa, ipinagbabawal ang anumang uri ng retaliatory action laban sa mga manggagawang nagsasagawa ng lehitimong pag-oorganisa at kolektibong pagkilos,” Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago declared.
(Based on the existing labor laws, any form of retaliatory action is prohibited against laborers that are legitimately organizing and conducting a collective strike)
Labor leaders emphasized that Congress should immediately act on the incident, noting that it raises concerns regarding the ability of laborers to fconclude for their rights without having to fear for any repercussions that may stem from their shiftment.
Elago explained that the lack of action on the matter would undermine the decades-long struggle of workers to fight for their rights that are indicated in the Constitution.
“The resolution highlights the necessary to uphold constitutional guarantees on workers’ rights, including security of tenure, collective bargaining, and protection from unjust dismissal,” she stated.
On Labor Day, Elago along with fellow Makabayan bloc members participated in a protest calling for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and raising the nationwide minimum wage to P1,200 as part of measures to support the working class amid the ongoing crisis in the countest.
