Worker files complaint against Japanese business exec in Digos

DIGOS CITY, Philippines—An employee of ceramic tile maker Nakayama Technology Corp. here has filed a complaint against the company’s Japanese vice president for allegedly stripping him of his uniform and making him walk around the factory’s compound in his underwear.

Markrenis Rellon, 24, a contractual employee from Padada, Davao del Sur, said in a complaint lodged with the Cogon barangay council that at around 4:30 p.m. on March 22, Akihiru Ushimaru, Nakayama’s executive vice president, asked him to report to his office, which he did accompanied by two of his Filipino team leaders.

Once inside, Rellon said, Ushimaru told him he had been violating the company’s policy on uniforms because he did not tuck his shirt in.

Ushimaru then asked him to take off his shirt and  pants and asked him to write “Next time I will wear my proper uniform” a hundred times on a piece of paper.

The Japanese then threw the worker’s uniform into a trash can and made him walk out of the office in his underwear.

“I was so embarrassed because I was only wearing my brief,” Rellon told the Inquirer.

Ushimaru admitted to the Inquirer that he scolded Rellon for being in the habit of not wearing his uniform properly.

“Every time I meet him he is not wearing his uniform according to our rules here,” Ushimaru said.

He also admitted telling the employee to return his uniform but added he did not expect him to strip it off immediately and that he thought the employee had his regular clothes under the uniform.

“I did not expect that he has no other pants that time when I told him to return the uniform,” Ushimaru said.

Under Philippine law, community councils are empowered to settle conflicts within a barangay or community.