NUMSA+protests+Toyota+Phillippines+dispute+to+Japan+Embassy

NATIONAL UNION OF METALWORKERS OF SOUTH AFRICA

 * HLANGANANI REGION**

525 Walker Street P.O Box 9805 Muckleneuk Pretoria 0001 0002 Tel: (012) 343 3284 EMAIL: //rebeccas@numsa.org.za// Fax: (012) 343 3054 //HLANGANANI REGION//


 * 08 September 2006**

ATT: THE AMBASSADOR**
 * TO: JAPANESE EMBASSY, PRETORIA

Dear Ambassador

=Numsa protest at Pretoria’s Japan Embassy=

On behalf of the National Union Of Metalworkers of South Africa representing 220 000 members, we strongly urge you to use your considerable influence to bring a resolution to the longstanding unresolved dispute at Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation.

As you know, in March 2001, Toyota Motor Phillipines unjustly dismissed 227 union officers and members and suspended 64 others for taking part in a peaceful union assembly. The workers were demonstrating in front of the Department of Labour and Employment to protest the company’s refusal to collectively bargain with the union, the Toyota Motor Phillipine Corporation Workers Association (TMPCWA).

Since that time, the International Metalworkers’ Federation, to which we are affiliated, has vigorously campaigned for the reinstatement and recognition of TMPCWA union members, a position supported and affirmed by the Supreme Court of the Phillipines and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

More recently, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) which represents 155 million workers in 156 countries, has released a damaging report on labour rights abuses in the Phillipines. Intheri 2005 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade union Rights, the report specifically refers to the Toyota Motor Phillipines dispute as an example of foreign companies exploiting Phillipine labour laws to break unions and trample workers’ rights.

Toyota Motor Corporation has a long proud history as one of Japan’s great companies. Toyota’s actions in the Phillipines do not represent Japan well. As a representative of the Japanense government, we call on you to exercise your authority and to strongly advise Toyota to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

The IMF and the TMPCWA are available to discuss this matter at any time.

Demonstrations will resume at Japanese embassy in 259 Baines Street, GROENKLOOF, PRETORIA at 10 until 1pm.

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