LAMENT OF DOLE: Victims uncooperative

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment lamented on the non-cooperation of the victims of the recent construction site tragedies in Cebu City to their investigation.

DOLE-7 regional director Elias Cayanong said they have never turned their back on the workers especially on the recent construction accidents wherein five workers were killed and several others were injured.

Cayanong said that they have conducted investigations into the incidents. In fact, work stoppage orders have been issued against the construction firms concerned.

However, Cayanong said they were saddened by the fact that the families and the victims themselves are not cooperating in the investigation.

“Maybe they were paid already. That is the irony there and a dilemma because nobody cooperated for the investigation. Only two or three but all of a sudden, mu-ingon nga nasayop daw sila,” Cayanong said.

Cayanong explained that in the construction industry, it is accompanied with risks and hazards, but before going to the construction, he said, the firm owners are required to submit a safety program for all its workers.

He said that there should be qualified safety personnel to monitor the construction site.

Cayanong said that the construction is a vibrant industry because it is growing. “We are concern not only of the salary and wages, but more on the health and safety of the workers.”

Cayanong said that the DOLE is advocating for safety program of all workers.

The Trade Union Congress Partylist has called on for the ratification of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 187 on Promotional Framework on Safety and Health.

TUCP has also called on the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, the body tasked to formulate policies affecting workers, to endorse to the President the ratification of Convention No. 187 for safer workplaces to protect workers in doing their jobs.

TUCP Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza said that with the changing world of work, a national occupational safety and health policy, system and program needs a sharper focus to better protect workers in doing their jobs.

The TUCP affiliated Associated Labor Unions and Building and Woodworkers International have joined forces in pushing for asbestos ban in the Philippines.  “Asbestos kills workers and other people. Canada must stop mining and exporting asbestos to the Philippines,” said Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Partido ng Manggagawa yesterday announced that mass actions will push through on May 1 despite an executive order from Malacañang declaring May 3 as a non-working holiday in lieu of May 1 because it is a Saturday.

“All systems are go for the May 1 rally with the theme ‘Ipaglaban ang Trabahong Regular at Dagdag Sahod.’ Labor Day is celebrated all over the world on May 1 and no order from Malacañang can change that,” said PM-Cebu spokesman Dennis Derige.

Derige said that the Arroyo administration wanted to split the labor movement and sabotage the militant protest planned on May 1 and is using a divide and rule tactics and not holiday economics as the real motive for shifting the observance of the said holiday. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Dorothy Mae E. Acabo and Sheila Marie Catacutan, NORSU Interns/FPL