MANILA, Philippines — Ten contractual workers were arrested Monday (2 April) morning by the authorities in Davao City.

In the Facebook account posted by Karlos Ysagani Zarate Monday evening, workers were seen seated on the floor of the Justice Hall in Ecoland, Davao City with handcuffed while awaiting their turn to be questioned.

The employees are apparently protesting the massive lay-off implemented by the Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Inc., (CCFPI), the largest franchised bottler of Coca-Cola products in the Philippines last month (2 March) wherein almost 600 workers were displaced including their union officers and leaders.

A series of concerted protest action was initiated by the Federation and Cooperation of Cola, Beverage, and Allied Industry Unions (FCCU-SENTRO/IUF) since 7 February 2018 in the different plant of Coca-cola FEMSA Philippines such as in Canlubang, Iligan, Iloilo, Davao and other Coke bottling plants and offices.

In a statement released by Alfredo Maranon, National President of FCCU-SENTRO/IUF said that the action of the CCFPI management violates the company’s obligations under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines as well as the UN Global Compact of which the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta is a signatory.

According to these agreements, the company must hold talks or dialogue with the union in order to “process the negative results on workers’ jobs and livelihood” Maranon added.

On the other hand, in the news article of Inquirer, the Coke Femsa, the company behind the popular carbonated soft drink, the decision to restructure was carried out after a careful assessment of various factors, such as operational efficiency, and the evolving regulatory environment.

“In light of recent developments within the beverage industry and in the business landscape as a whole, the Coca-Cola System is undergoing an organizational structure assessment. This involved a comprehensive review of the roles and responsibilities within Coca-Cola FEMSA,” the company said.

“This restructuring has been a very difficult decision. It was carried out only after an exhaustive and conscientious assessment of the evolving regulatory environment, our operational efficiency, and consequent performance in the market,” it added.

Meanwhile, Kadamay and other militant groups are urging President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to stop arresting labor leaders whom they said was only there to perform their duties as mandated under the labor code– to protect workers rights in the workplace.

The group is also demanding the present administration the inclusion of several urban poor organizers in the terror list.

The group held a protest caravan that started in Angeles City, Pampanga and ends in Mendiola, Manila. CPM