Adamson University workers in Manila hold a demonstration outside the Catholic school to demand the reinstatement of 12 dismissed personnel. (Photo by Angie de Silva)
Workers have staged a protest at a Catholic university in Manila to condemn the dismissal of 12 maintenance personnel whose contracts supposedly ended last month.
"How could our contracts end if, in the first place, we have no contracts," said Israel Fababier, one of the workers at the protest outside Adamson University on Feb. 13.
The Adamson University is run by the Vincentian Fathers of the Congregation of the Mission.
The workers claimed that they were told of their dismissal on Jan. 14. "We were not allowed to enter the school the next day," said Fababier.
In a statement, the workers said it is ironic that while the church condemns the killings in the drug war in recent months, it is killing people by dismissing them from their jobs.
"Where is the 'education with a heart' and 'truth in charity,'" read a statement issued by the workers, referring to the school's motto.
The workers said their only demands are the reinstatement of those dismissed and to recognize their labor union.
University guards told ucanews.com that school officials were not available to comment because the university is preparing for its foundation day celebration.