After 46 years of operation, the iconic Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila has officially closed its doors on Monday. The closure comes amidst safety concerns and a growing labor dispute.
The hotel, previously managed by Accor SA under its Sofitel brand, bid farewell to its guests on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the memories created within its walls. Owned by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the property was one of 12 hotels hastily constructed in the early 1970s for the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank.
Following the IMF-WB meeting, the hotel was managed by the Starwood hotel chain as the Westin Philippine Plaza until 2005. Accor SA took over the management contract the next year, rebranding it as Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
In May, Accor announced the permanent closure of the hotel due to 24 fire incidents compromising the property’s structural integrity.
The National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant, and Allied Industries (Nuwhrain) criticized the closure, stating that over a thousand employees were terminated by Philippine Plaza Holdings Inc. (PPHI). The union alleged that PPHI plans to renovate the premises despite the appearance of closure.
According to the union, PPHI extended its lease with GSIS until 2041, with the potential for further extension to 2066 to recoup renovation costs. Nuwhrain accused PPHI and Accor SA of union-busting, claiming workers were left jobless without consultation for the hotel’s future plans.
Political attention has been drawn to the situation, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros calling for an investigation into the labor implications of the closure. The union vowed to continue the fight until hotel workers are involved in the reopening process.
Despite the closure, Nuwhrain plans to rally international support to hold Accor accountable for its involvement in PPHI’s actions. The union’s message is clear: as long as they stand, the fight is not over.
