Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto hits Zagu over alleged contractualization, dispersal of workers' picket

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Wednesday hit the management and owner of pearl shake maker Zagu Foods Corp. over alleged job contractualization and dispersal of the workers' picket .

In a Facebook post, Sotto uploaded a video showing his visit to the picket line of workers’ union in front of Zagu’s establishment. The group was protesting against Zagu’s contractualization of workers and union busting.

Sotto said the Zagu’s security personnel were trying to disperse the picket.

“Sa may-ari at management ng Zagu, hindi nangyari ito kung wala kayong mga empleyado na 10 + taon na, pero kontraktwal pa rin,” Vico wrote on his post.

Sotto questioned Zagu’s management for trying to stop the protest action. The administrator-in-charge said that they are only implementing the temporary restraining order of National Labor Relation Commission.

However, the Pasig City mayor defended the protesters saying that the TRO stated that the strike shall continue unless they are blocking the “ingress and egress” of the establishment.

“Nasa gilid lang ang picket line kung saan naganap ang insidente,” Sotto.

Sotto also reminded the management and owner of Zagu that a strike would not have happened if they just negotiated well with their workers.

“Limang buwan na ito sa NCMB (National Conciliation and Mediation Board), wala pa rin kayong maayos na offer/counter-offer. Bakit kailangang umabot sa karahasan?,”  he said.

The NCMB formulates policies, plans, programs, standards and procedures to promote conciliation and mediation of labor disputes.

“Sumunod kayo sa batas. Galangin niyo ang mga karapatan ng inyong manggagawa,” Sotto added.

Zagu Foods Corp. is located in West Capitol Drive in Pasig City.

GMA News Online has reached out to the management for its side, but has yet to get a reply. —LDF, GMA News