The Global Trade Union is taking up the case on behalf of the affected workers’ own trade union, DAHEWU – SENTRO, detailing the company’s violations of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Handing over the complaint, BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson explained, “Holcim Philippines increasingly replacing directly-employed workers with sub contracted workers to do the core work of cement production; thereby, cutting costs of wages and depriving them of important rights and benefits. We are asking for fair and equal treatment of all workers at the plant in Davao.”
The BWI and SENTRO are urging the Swiss NCP to recommend that LafargeHolcim conduct due diligence with respect to the adverse impacts on workers caused by the labour practices of Group members, and, in particular to the relationships under which work is performed. The majority of workers performing work at the Holcim Philippines plant were inadequately protected and compensated and were subject to discriminatory working conditions for years.
Said Yuson, “We trust that that the recommendation will be that LafargeHolcim should take measures to ensure that the right of all workers to form or join trade unions and to bargain collectively is taken into account by all LafargeHolcim Group members when making decisions over labour practices and especially when entering into business relationships.”