Labor groups protest MetroWear shutdown

Progressive groups and labor advocates have staged a protest on Monday, June 9, in front of the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas (DOLE-7) and the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) in Lapu-Lapu City, calling for an end to alleged repression, union-busting, and the ongoing three-month factory shutdown.

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The protest was led by local groups including Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO Cebu), Partido Manggagawa (PM), and the Organization of Metrowear Employees for Empowerment and Genuine Action (OMEGA-PIGLAS).

The action formed part of a Global Day of Action supported by international labor groups, aiming to pressure MetroWear management and its parent company, Sport City International (SCI), to end alleged anti-union practices and resume operations following a controversial shutdown.

PM spokesperson Dennis Derige condemned the closure, warning that over 1,800 workers risk losing their jobs—an outcome that he said would further deteriorate labor conditions in Cebu.

He said the company blamed the shutdown on tariffs and the lingering impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on their orders. However, workers questioned this explanation, citing inconsistencies—particularly the fact that employees had still been working overtime.

Derige described the closure as appearing “calibrated,” with employees being terminated in batches over several weeks.