"Sofitel Management Attempts to Disrupt Peaceful Action. SENTRO - IUF Statement on the June 5th", 5 June 2024

Sofitel management and security forcefully attempted to disperse a banner unfurling action held by the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) and the International Union of Food (IUF) in front of the hotel this June 5th. Despite resistance from management and security, we proclaimed “SOFITEL, OPEN FOR BUSINESS, CLOSED FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS!” The Philippine Plaza Holdings, Inc. (PPHI), the owners of the establishment, have unjustly terminated over a thousand workers in light of the closure. PPHI’s action is nothing less than union busting driven by callousness towards workers’ rights; this was made even clearer by their attempts today to prevent us from holding a peaceful action addressing the management.

The closure is a response to alleged safety concerns, renovations are currently underway, with some having already been finished. Despite this, the hotel remains open to guests and to workers alike, closing only by the end of the month. If hotel operations can proceed while the renovations are ongoing, then a closure is not necessary. ...