Manila agrees to ILO probe on killings

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is ready to welcome a “high level mission” from the International Labor Organization (ILO) that will investigate the cases of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and harassment of workers’ leaders, unionists and labor rights advocates in the country, an official said.

This was announced on Thursday by labor undersecretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who is heading a tripartite delegation to the ongoing 98th International Labor Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

In a speech before the ILC’s committee on the application of standards at 4 p.m. (Manila time), Baldoz said the Philippines would be willing to host the mission.

Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Allan Montaño, a member of the delegation, was the first to relay to media the information, which was later confirmed by Department of Labor (DOLE).

“The High-level Mission will look into the allegations and reported violations of trade union rights, including killings, attempted murders, death threats, abductions, disappearances, assaults, tortures, military interference in trade union activities, violent police dispersion of marches and pickets and arrests of trade union leaders,” Montaño said.

He said the FFW commended the Philippine government for agreeing to the ILO investigation.

The situation in the Philippines was among those tackled in a 789-page report (which may be accessed at http://www.ilo.org/global/What_we_do/Officialmeetings/ilc/ILCSessions/98thSession/ReportssubmittedtotheConference/lang–en/index.htm) that the committee submitted to the conference.

The committee noted with “regret” Manila’s refusal to accept the sending of a mission, which was first requested by the ILO in 2007.

The mission was supposed to be tasked to “obtain a greater understanding of all aspects” of the cases involving the Philippines’ compliance with the 1948 ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, which the country ratified in 1953.

“The committee observes with deep regret that there has been no information on any conviction pronounced against the perpetrators and instigators of acts of extreme gravity against trade unionists and that killings, abductions, enforced disappearances and other violations of fundamental rights of trade unionists continue to take place,” the report said.

The committee said the failure so far of government to identify and punish the perpetrators created “a situation of impunity,” which reinforced the climate of violence and insecurity, and which has been “extremely damaging” to the exercise of trade union rights in the Philippines.

“The committee emphasizes that the rights of workers’ organizations can only be exercised in a climate that is free from violence, pressure or threats of any kind against the leaders and members of these organizations, and it is for governments to ensure that this principle is respected,” the report said.

Baldoz along with Ambassador Erlinda Basilio led a delegation of about 40 officials from the Philippine government, employment and labor sectors, including six congressmen acting as “advisers.” — Jerome Aning, Philippine Daily Inquirer