The labor and employers sectors in the local garments and textile industry banded together, in an unprecedented move, to back the SAVE Act bill now pending in the US Congress.
The passage of the bill is expected to generate jobs for workers who were displaced when the US stopped issuing quotas on garments imports in 2005.
A joint statement signed by members of the Clothing and Textile Industry Tripartite Council reaffirmed the support given by labor groups, garments and textiles associations, government and all other concerned stakeholders for the enactment of the SAVE Our Industries Act.
Garments and Textile Industry Development Office (GTIDO) executive director Thelma Dumpit-Murillo said the statement recognizes the urgent need to concertedly support the bill as it aims to revitalize the apparel and textiles industries which has experienced a drastic decline in exports receipts from its glory days in 2003 when the Philippines was a top major supplier of apparel in the global market.
“The Save Our Industries Act is a milestone initiative as acknowledged by the CTITC which will boost the apparel industry in the Philippines and the textile industry of the United States,” Dumpit-Murillo said.
Aside from the creation of decent jobs, the passage of the Save Act ushers the tripartite commitment to implement an improved work program for the Philippines that includes decent work promotion, labor standards compliance monitoring and social dialog, she added.
A technical working group will be created to draft the accreditation criteria establishing the mechanism by which companies can enjoy benefits from the trade agreement.
Among those who signed the joint statement were Florencita Cabatingan of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Rosalinda Manabat of the Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization, Nelia Vibar of the Alyansa ng Manggagawa sa Garments at Textile-SUPER, Josua Mata of the Alliance of Progressive Labor, Annie Adviento of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation, Antonio Asper of the Federation of Free Workers and Maria Teresita Jocson-Agoncillo of the Confederation of Garments Exporters of the Philippines. –Ayen Infante, Daily Tribune
