by Jhoanna Ballaran, Inquirer, Feb 1, 2018
Labor groups trooped to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) office in Manila on Thursday to condemn the frequent fire incidents in factories and the “worsening” labor conditions in the country.
Groups represented by the Workers’ Resistance Against Tyranny and for Human Rights (Wrath) marked the first anniversary of the burning of the House Technology Industries, Ltd. (HTI) factory in Cavite and the 40th day of the NCCC fire in Davao City.
Rose Marie Magracia, spokesperson of Justice for Kentex Victims, lamented the almost annual calls for justice for workers who died due to poor working conditions in workplaces.
“Taun-taon, kabi-kabila ang mga panawagan na (Every year, there are calls left and right for) Justice for Eton, Justice for Omni, Justice for Kentex, Justice for HTI, at Justice for NCCC. Lahat ito ay [panawagan para sa] (All of these are calls for) justice for workers. Pero may nakamit ba tayong hustisya (But have we attaianed justice)?” Magracia said at the rally in front of DOLE in Intramuros.
Magracia lost her daughter, Maria Precilla Crenshaw, during the Kentex Factory blaze in Valenzuela City in May 2015. The fire, dubbed as one of worst fire incidents in Philippine history, killed 74 workers.
No one has been accountable for the incident three years on.
And to prevent any more incidents from happening again, the group called for the passage of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill “in light of the chronic catastrophes we continue to face.”
“Wrath believes that unless we carry on calling for justice, the sacrifices and the memories of the workers lost to these tragedies will forever vanish,” the group said in a statement.
The alliance—led by Kilusang Mayo Uno, Federation of Free Workers, and Young Christian Workers—also condemned the rampant contractualization in the country and the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law, which it called a “lethal combination” for workers.
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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