Updated Petition as of March 4, 2019:

The welfare of the Hanjin Workers who did not sign the Voluntary Retrenchment Program (VRP) under the sub-contractors of Hanjin Shipyard are currently under threat as they were not allowed entry inside the Shipyard and allowed to work last March 1, 2019 up until today.

According to Efren Vinluan, President of Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Hanjin Shipyard or SAMAHAN, “Our RFID’s (Radio Frequency Identification Card) no longer work. Those who did not resign were not allowed to enter the worksite. Meanwhile, those that signed the ‘voluntary resignation’ form were being recalled and were able to enter the shipyard.”

In this light, we appeal that your office immediately intervene on the matter by facilitating a tripartite dialogue between the Hanjin management and SAMAHAN.

The unfolding events in Hanjin Shipyard are contrary to the spirit of what was mutually agreed upon by both parties during the dialogues with your office and DOLE Region III. These are infringement of worker’s rights. We have listed down the most important points below:

1.       The management promised to release a memorandum circular explaining the situation and stating that those who did not avail of the Voluntary Retrenchment Program could still continue working. However, they instead released a Notice of Closure contrary to what was agreed upon whose validity is questioned since it lacks the appropriate signatories.

2.      The workers who signed the Application for Voluntary Retrenchment Program and agreed to a back-to-zero-employment contract are being recalled and allowed entry, however, those who refused to sign had their IDs blocked despite assurances that they can still continue working.

3.      Regardless of the Notice of Closure of the subcontracting agencies which remains unclear, we call on the principal (Hanjin or the new management committee or the receivership) to take responsibility and continue addressing the welfare of the workers in this transition period and rehabilitation of the shipyard.

The blocking of the ID of the workers who did not avail of the VRP is an aggressive move from the side of the Hanjin management. This clearly violates the rights of the workers whose intention is to simply go back to work and does not want to resign. The workers’ and their families’ welfare is being put to risk by such brazen act. 

In support and solidarity with the Hanjin Workers, we, (organization) strongly seek the intervention and help from your department as the primary protector of the welfare and rights of our fellow workers and laborers here in the Philippines.

We strongly urge Sec. Bello to immediately act to peacefully and judiciously resolve the issue and ensure that the rights and welfare of the Hanjin Workers are protected!

We are hoping for your immediate action regarding this issue!

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Original Petition: The recent news of the bankruptcy of Hanjin Philippines has solely focused on how to save the company (HHIC-Phils Co. Ltd) and how to cushion the impact to its Philippine bank creditors ($412 M). While no one is talking about the fate of the workers who were removed or are to be removed from this bankruptcy issue.

There are now only about 4,000 workers remaining in the yard. From its peak of 33,000 in 2017, it receded to 16,000 last February 2018 after it finished its big orders. The reduction of the workforce continued in December where 7,000 workers were removed and are still awaiting their Separation Pay. Also, it was announced that they will remove another 3,000 workers in the coming months until only 300 workers remain for maintenance operation in the shipyard.    

As such, the FRIENDS OF HANJIN WORKERS support the call of the SAMAHAN NG MANGGAGAWA SA HANJIN SHIPAYARD (HANJIN SHIPYARD WORKER’S ORGANIZATION) and the Workers for Peoples Liberation (SAMAHAN-WPL) on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure the welfare of the 4,000 affected workers. The demands of the workers are as follows:

1. To ensure the affected workers are provided with the appropriate separation pay;
2. To ensure the workers are refunded their 3% employment bond that is automatically reduced from their salary.
3. To ensure workers receive a corresponding unemployment subsidiary until new work can be found to help offset the cost of food, housing, schooling, and medical expenses of unemployed employees of Hanjin and their family;
a. A moratorium on the Pag-Ibig Housing Loans of the workers residing in Hanjin Village
4. To ensure the workers are returned to work if and when operations restart at the shipyard, through a written and legally binding agreement between Hanjin Management, workers, and DOLE.

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Ang mga balita sa pagkalugi ng Hanjin Philippines ay naging malaganap na balita nitong mga nakaraang araw. Ang matunog na pinag-uusapan ay kung paano na maisasalba ang negosyo ng Hanjin at kung paano i-cushion ang epekto nito sa mga pinagkakautangang bangko ($412M) sa Pilipinas. Samantalang wala pang napapag-usapang anuman sa magiging kapalaran ng mga MANGGAGAWA na natanggal at matatanggal pa bunga ng  pagkalugi nito.

Sa ngayon may humigit kumulang na 4,000 na manggagawa na lamang ang natitira sa yarda. Mula sa  peak 33,000 nuong 2017 ay lumiit ito sa 16,000 nuong Pebrero 2018 makaraang matapos ang malalaking pedidong barko. Nagtuluy-tuloy ang tanggalan, hanggang nitong Disyembre kung saan may mahigit 7,000 pa ang tinanggal  at kasalukuyang naghihintay ng Separation Pay. Maliban dito, nakaanunsyo na rin ang pagtatanggal muli ng higit 3,000 sa mga darating na buwan, hanggang sa ang ititira na lamang ay 300 manggagawa na tutungkol sa maintenance operation ng yarda.

Kaugnay nito, sinusuportahan ng FRIENDS of HANJIN WORKERS ang panawagan ng Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Hanjin Shipyard at Workers for People's Liberation (Samahan-WPL) sa DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) para sa kagalingan ng kulang 4,000 manggagawang apektado. Ito ay ang mga sumusunod:

1. Tiyaking maipagkaloob sa mga apektadong manggagawa ang kaukulang Separation Pay.

2. Maibalik ang 3% bond na automatic na kinaltas sa sweldo ng mga empleyado.

3. Mapagkalooban ng kaukulang subsidiyo ang manggagawa sa panahong nawalan ng trabaho (unemployment subsidy) hanggang sa makahanap ng bagong trabaho, na, titiyak sa gastos sa pagkain, gastos sa tirahan at gastos sa pag-aaral at pangangailangang medikal ng mga manggagawang nawalan ng trabaho na empleyado ng Hanjin at pamilya nito.

Kaugnay nito, magkaroon ng konsiderasyon na maextend ang pagbabayad ng Pag-ibig housing loan para sa mga mangagawang nakatira sa Hanjin Village.

4. Tiyakin na maibalik sa trabaho ang mga manggagawa sa panahong bumalik na ang operasyon sa yarda, sa pamamagitan ng nakasulat at legally binding na kasunduan sa pagitan ng Hanjin Management, mga manggagawa at DOLE.