Piston today endorsed a strike by factory workers at Nexperia Philippines Inc., a multinational semiconductor manufacturer, over automation-related layoffs and union-busting. The strike action, led by the Nexperia Philippines Inc. Workers Union (NPIWU), began today in its processing plant in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Nexperia, a major supplier of electric vehicle (EV) chips, has terminated approximately 600 workers since 2023, citing cost optimization and automation. The NPIWU along with its parent federation, the National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU), have worked tirelessly to resolve the issue, however the company has been uncooperative and continues to reject agreements protecting job security.
The dispute escalated after Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma issued an Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) order Feb. 5 to block the strike. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) defended the order, noting Nexperia’s role as a top exporter contributing $2.8 billion annually to the economy.
Union leaders condemned the AJ as prioritizing corporate interests over labor rights.
Piston National President Mody Floranda, a Makabayan senatorial candidate, linked the strike to broader discontent: “The strike of Nexperia workers and the continuous struggle of jeepney drivers and operators both reflect the growing discontent of Filipinos with the Marcos regime, which always favors foreign profits over the livelihood security of Filipino workers.”
Nexperia Philippines Inc., headquartered in the Netherlands and China, produces chips for automotive, EV and consumer electronics firms, including Bosch, Continental, Huawei, Tesla and Samsung. Its Laguna facility assembles and tests nearly 1 billion chips yearly.
Floranda criticized the company’s labor practices: “Nexperia’s huge earnings are due to the productivity of its workers. But the greed of capitalists leads to widespread layoffs and meager wages for the workers.”