Government inaction could trigger more attacks on unionists, warns solon

The Philippines ranks as the second most dangerous country for trade unionists, and opposition Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday said the government’s seeming indifference to killings of trade union leaders could trigger more attacks against them.

“A climate of fear and intimidation still pervades the labor sector. Workers not only worry about job security, they have to deal with the issue of personal security as well,” Escudero, in a statement, said.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) reported that the Philippines now ranks second in the list of countries where violations of trade union rights are prevalent.

Colombia ranks first with 39 killings, while Guinea was third at 30 unionists slain in the ITUC list.

The Philippines recorded 33 killings of labor leaders in the survey conducted by the Independent Center for Trade Union and Human Rights for the ITUC in 2007.

In the same survey, 220 individuals were affected in 130 incidents of trade union rights violations.

Escudero, who heads the Senate committee on justice and human rights, has filed senate Bill 1437 which seeks to grant prosecutorial powers to the Commission on Human Rights and establish its own witness protection program. He has also called for the approval of a bill which would jail torturers for life.

“The sad fact is that in the Philippines, the rights of labor groups continue to be abused by the government. These abuses range from acts to undermine the right to strike to outright discouragement fo trade union activities, especially in export processing zones,” Escudero said.

He also noted that in many instances cited by the ITUC and validated by UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Philip Alston, the use of intimidation and extrajudicial or arbitrary executions targeting trade unionists has been employed.

“The government must not only create and ensure security of tenure. It must also make sure that those who fight for the welfare of workers be protected from harm,” Escudero said.

Meanwhile, Malacanang yesterday said the Arroyo administration celebrated the Labor Day “with profound optimism and a deep sense of gratitude to our workers for bridging us this far.”

Other countries may approach the mid-year with trepidation over their economic prospects, but in the Philippines hopes remain high that the worst may already have passed by, and the best is yet to come, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told a press briefing in Malacanang.

President Arroyo has provided various types of skills and jobs training to almost eight million workers, including near-hire training for call center agents, he said.

The Palace official added the Departmenet of Labor and Employment held a job fair for 80,000 employment opportunities waiting to be filled.

Remonde said the country relies on the skills and talents of its workers to carry the day and preserve the legendary resilience of the economy.

“In the Middle East alone, over 200,000 job openings are awaiting for Filipino construction workers,” he said.

“Here at home, offshoring and outsourcing eomployers continue to set up call centers, software development houses and backroom offices,” Remonde said.

He said the slowdoan of the major export markets abroad was the cue for the Philippines to press forward with all available strategies not only to sustain its unbroken record of economic growth, but also to ensure the availability of funds.

“It is no longer within the powers of President Arroyo to dicate wage increases as it could be done during martial rule,” Remonde said.

The law in place mandates the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board to set wage standards and for the mechanism of collective bargaining negotiations to move employers and employees, he said.

Also, Remonde said the government is also encouraging state workers to approach the nearest microfinance institutions in their area and the Development where they can apply for loans to augment their income.

But left-leaning groups affiliated with the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Anakapawis party-list dismissed the 200,000 job fairs set up by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) as “cheap publicity stunt.”

Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) national chairman Fernando Hicap noted that the 200,000 jobs fairs set up by DoLE all over the country were only meant to convince the public that Malacanang and its labor officials are aware of the worsening labor situation and its is doing everything it can do to address the huge problem of unemployment and underemployment.

“This carnival like escapade of President Arroyo will not create jobs. These job fairs are nothing but job booths selling empty promises to seek seeking people,” he added.

Citing the recent study made by the Ibon Foundation, Pamalakaya said even if Mrs. Arroyo succeeds in creating 800,000 jobs this year, the Labor Department is not capable of addressing the job demands of more than 900,000 new job seekers this year.

Also, Hicap said Mrs. Arroyo’s refusal to grant P125 across-the-board daily pay increase demand of Filipino workers since she assumed the presidency in 2001 is a clear indication that her government is not after the rights and welfare of workers, and that her administration exists for the class interest of the foreign and domestic capitalists.

“Mrs. Arroyo is the biggest anti-labor, anti-worker and anti-national political entity in this country. It is only just and moral and politicallu correct to turn Labor Day’s commemoration this year into an across-the-country Arroyo bashing,” he noted. –Charlie V. Manalo and PNA