By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Vice President Roland de la Cruz recently called on Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III to intervene in the anticipated layoffs of over 600 Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines workers, 100 of which are at risk in Bacolod City and Iloilo.

“I requested for immediate government intervention to avert such catastrophic scenario,” he affirmed via press release.

“The labor secretary gave his assurance,” the labor leader added.

With the group expressing their disappointment with the practice of contractualization still continuing, something De la Cruz pointed out was a promise made by President Rodrigo Duterte, he noted, “Workers feel they are just being played.”

However, last week, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines cited higher fuel prices and “recent developments within the beverage industry” as a reason for the reduction in its workforce.

Following passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, an excise tax has been placed on both beverages that utilize sugar and those with artificial sweeteners; along with petroleum products./DGB, WDJ