Employees of the Sofitel Hotel hold a protest picket in front of the hotel in Pasay City on June 5, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

JOB LOSS- SOFITEL CLOSURE

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171954726643520240605-sofitel-closure-workers-protest-JC4641.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Employees of the Sofitel Hotel hold a protest picket in front of the hotel in Pasay City on June 5, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Employees of the Sofitel Hotel hold a protest picket in front of the hotel in Pasay City on June 5, 2024. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution seeking a Senate investigation into the &quot;<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">labor policy implications&quot; of </span><span id="isPasted">Sofitel Philippine Plaza&#x27;s closure, which employees claimed was a &quot;union-busting&quot; move.</span></p><div><span id="isPasted"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/5/10/sofitel-philippine-plaza-to-close-by-july-1539">• Sofitel Philippine Plaza to close by July</a></span></div><p>Hontiveros said the Senate investigation seeks to determine<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"> &quot;the closure&#x27;s legitimacy, the treatment of employees, and the potential impact on labor policies in the hospitality sector.&quot;</span></p><p>&quot;The permanent closure of Sofitel will affect its 500 employees, some of whom have already faced termination,” <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Senate Resolution No. 1059</span> stated.</p><p>On May 20, Sofitel announced that the iconic hotel would stop operations by July 1, adding that it would honor engagements and reservations until the end of June before it closes.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/6/3/soon-to-be-displaced-workers-of-sofitel-urge-management-to-retain-their-jobs-1624">• Soon-to-be displaced workers of Sofitel urge management to retain their jobs</a></div><p>However, soon-to-be terminated hotel employees alleged that the hotel would only undergo renovations, and that the supposed closure was just a way to dissolve the workers’ union.</p><p>&quot;The impending closure of Sofitel Philippine Plaza has raised significant concerns among its employees and their representatives. We call for greater transparency from <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc.</span> and demand answers regarding the true reasons behind this decision,&quot; Hontiveros said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/6/6/dole-seeks-clarification-on-sofitel-closure-1446">• DOLE seeks clarification on Sofitel closure</a></div><p>“We must listen to the employees&#x27; legitimate concerns. Hindi ito pwedeng isawalang-bahala lang,” she added.</p><div><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">The hotel earlier dismissed accusations of union busting. </span></div><p>Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma had told ABS-CBN News that his agency, through the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), was conducting hearings with representatives of the hotel and the employees.</p><p>Opened in 1976, Sofitel was designed by National Artists Leandro Locsin and Ildefonso P. Santos.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/6/7/sofitel-mounts-job-fair-for-employees-as-closure-nears-1437">Sofitel mounts job fair for employees as closure nears</a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/6/25/sofitel-union-seeks-guaranteed-employment-deal-5-days-before-closure-1704">Sofitel union seeks ‘guaranteed employment’ deal 5 days before closure</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3056998"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>Sen. Hontiveros said the probe would determine the "closure's legitimacy, the treatment of employees, and the potential impact on labor policies in the hospitality sector."</p>

Sen. Hontiveros said the probe would determine the "closure's legitimacy, the treatment of employees, and the potential impact on labor policies in the hospitality sector."

Senate probe sought into Sofitel closure amid 'labor issues' | ABS-CBN

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Senate probe sought into Sofitel closure amid 'labor issues'

Senate probe sought into Sofitel closure amid 'labor issues'

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 28, 2024 12:33 PM PHT

Read More:

Senate

Risa Hontiveros

Sofitel

labor

labor issues

union busting

business

hotel

ANC

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