On March 5, more than 1,300 workers of Nexperia Philippines Inc simultaneously stopped working and declared a strike at their factory in the Light Industry Science Park 1 in Cabuyao, Laguna. Their goal is to collectively advance their struggle for wage increases, reinstatement of terminated workers, and against union busting.

The workers at Nexperia have long endured the capitalist trampling of their welfare and disregard of their grievances. The company’s management has stubbornly refused to heed their demands for living wages, against contractualization, and against attacks on their union rights. In favor of capitalist interests, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued an “assumption of jurisdiction” to stop any planned strike, purportedly to “mediate.”

Instead, the capitalist is offering an insulting daily wage increase of ₱17, along with the successive termination of hundreds of workers since 2023. To make profits, workers are being forced to work double time. In 2024, the company reached a production of nine billion electronic chips used in the production of vehicles, communication devices, and others. This was achieved by forcing workers to operate up to four machines each, with plans to increase this soon to nine machines.

The historical significance of the Nexperia strike cannot be underestimated. It is one of the biggest strikes in recent years in a foreign-owned company. This strike is in direct defiance to the “no strike” policy strictly enforced in export processing zones. The bravery of the Nexperia workers is a testament to the living spirit of resistance of Filipino workers. It reminds all workers of the importance of unity and determination to fight for their welfare and dignity.

The Nexperia workers’ strike broke out amid the worsening socio-economic crisis affecting the entire country. It is a reflection of the widespread discontent among the toiling masses and people in the face of rising food and basic commodity prices, low wages, and widespread unemployment. Millions are being deprived of their land and livelihood, and are being trampled upon by foreign capitalists, local big businesses, and landlords. The strike of Nexperia workers, therefore, gives voice not only to the workers of Nexperia but to the entire nation suffering under the oppressive and anti-national policies of the US-Marcos regime.

The workers of Nexperia are displaying courage and militance in their struggle. They are proving that they will not back down in the face of capitalist oppression, intimidation, and violence. Because they have justice and reason on their side, they are not intimidated by the various forms of harassments and threats by the capitalist that they will be fired or sued. They are drawing strength and courage from each other, standing together against the greedy capitalists.

It is only just to call on all workers and the entire people to rise up and support the strike of Nexperia workers. This is a time for workers solidarity, regardless of their federation or industry. It should be made clear to all workers, including those in export processing zones, that the struggle of Nexperia workers is also their struggle. The fight for living wages, humane working conditions, and the right to unionize is a collective struggle of all Filipino workers, as well as workers in all parts of the world.

All other democratic sectors should extend support to the strike of Nexperia workers. Their issues should be brought to the biggest possible number of campuses, communities, offices, and churches, to gain the broad support of the entire nation. The widest material and moral support should be gathered for the Nexperia workers. The success of their strike will surely serve as an inspiration to awaken workers and other sectors to stand up and fight against oppression and exploitation.

While we salute the courage of Nexperia workers in militantly advancing their democratic demands and interests, we should also shine light on the path of broader struggle against all forms of oppression of the working masses and the entire nation. We should show how the struggle of Nexperia workers is linked to the overall revolutionary struggle to end the rotten and oppressive system.