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.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
