18 Aug 2019 – NTUC Phl popped poppers at the opening of its Leaders Meeting and first anniversary celebrations in Quezon City.
President Rodolfo Capoquian cited the many center activities since NTUC Phl’s founding convention on 18 August 2018 : national, federation and local -level GBV workshops in 2018 through 2019; two successful national JILAF/NTUC Phl workshops on constructive industrial relations in Quezon City and Subic, Zambales in May 2019; representations before government agencies and many forums.
Two new affiliates joined NTUC Phl: KMM (Kilusan ng Manggagawang Makabayan) in May 2019 and TUPAS (Trade Unions of the Philippines and Allied Social Services) on 10 Aug.
A federation of 12 hospital unions HEAL (Health Employees and Advocates for Labor) held its founding convention in November 2018, and is slated to join NTUC Phl in the coming month.
Two other affiliates will hold conventions in November and December 2019 to re-dedicate themselves to the growing NTUC Phl family.
The President stressed these developments are proof of NTUC Phl actions to strengthen the center and the Philippine labor movement. “Talagang UNIONS lang ang pagasa laban sa – endo, mababang sahod, pananalasa ng TRAIN at inflation, problema sa rice at tariffication and other socio-economic problems …” Unions are the only hope of the nation.
“Many more challenges confront workers and unions which would “test our patience and
capacities – inequalities, rising prices, low wages, endo still, employers who do not ahare with workers …” The many organizing successes in companies were cited.
Vice President Ruben Torres related successful international engagements, including in ATUC and ITUC AP. He blasted continued corruption of discussions and deliberations on the so-called SOT (security of tenure) bill which appears to sanction the institutionalization of regularization in agencies rather than the principal company.
The leaders heard presentations and participated in discussions on “What’s ASEAN +50 and its relation to the NTUC Phl campaign for national living wages” (Brother Bobbit Librojo of NUBE) and “The NTUC Phl campaign for the ratification of the new ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment” (Sister Flor Cabatingan of the NTUC Phl women’s committee).
A BWC/DOLE resource person lead discussions on the many new things in the new Occupational safety and health standards, which highlighted the need for more orientation on the law and its implementation.
The leaders adopted the meeting’s Conclusions and Recommendations, which coverage led Brother Torres to say, “We are really trying to change the world here.”
The Women and Youth held two simultaneous assemblies: reviewed their TORs (terms of reference), identified plans and activities to pursue their respective Action Agendas, xxx and committed active participation in the campaign for ratification of ILO Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment and the ITUC AP/DGB/ATUC project on improving women and youth participation in trade unions and elsewhere.
