TUCP Message to the 2nd day of the National Tripartite Conference on Principles of FOA

TUCP MESSAGE
National Tripartite Conference on Principles of Freedom of Association: Towards Fair Globalization and Decent Work
03 December 2009, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City

Honorable DOLE Secretary Marianito D. Roque
ILO Country Director Linda Wirth,
Undersecretaries of the Department of Labor and Employment
Esteemed partners from the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines
Colleagues from the ILO,
Fellow trade union leaders and activists,
Brothers and sisters, good morning

TUCP is happy to be associated with this program today.
TUCP is happy to interact with the police and the armed forces.

It is in discussions and dialogue that tripartite partners, and other groups, discover that they have roles to play in promoting labor and trade union rights.

The police and the armed forces operate in an environment.

They reflect, they advance, they promote, the country’s policies and programs.

As in many undertakings, there will be many better chances for success if everyone knows one’s place, what is one’s responsibility, what one is to do, and what one should accomplish.

To promote labor and trade union rights, the people in uniform should be well acquainted with them.
Labor and trade union rights are not the usual content of police and armed forces’ training, and interaction
They come up against labor and trade union rights only when the problem is already there.

There are not many incidents in which to gain experience.
After all, there are not many incidents which the police and armed forces have to confront.

What is surprising is, given the lack of orientation and training, that there are not more incidents and violations by police and the armed forces.

This state of un-preparedness should now end.  The littlest incident of violation of labor and trade union rights is a blot on the country, and tarnishes the country’s image some more.

The sad thing is:
there are groups in this country who love putting the country in a bad light.
They take special delight when the country is embarrassed because of some wrongdoing, corruption, violence, or worse.
They celebrate when authorities stumble, and mishandle things.

This should end.
The police and the armed forces should be oriented and trained –
to improve their appreciation of what trade unions do.
That trade unions are not automatically the enemy, and the target of police action.

The police and the armed forces should appreciate that, regardless of provocation, there is no place for violence, or worse, in dealings with unions.
Groups with unhealthy agenda should not be given the chance to rejoice.

The tripartite sectors, with the assistance of ILO, are ready to participate in design, implementation and monitoring of promotional programs
for the police and the armed forces.

It is in the interest of employers, labor, and government that police and the armed forces develop the culture of positive regard for unions and the sophistication to treat unions and trade union actions with sensitivity.

We all have a stake in this.
Let us make this work.
This day, let’s reason and act together, to make this come true.

Thank you.