Seen Heard Found
26 April 2019 – THESE CALL CENTERS IN GLEAMING BUILDINGS MIGHT NEED TO CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR PEOPLE. — Let this employee of a big call center tell the story [translated from Pilipino]: I want to report this security officer in this big building in Ortigas, Pasig. In the 22 April earthquake, the emergency exit in my floor didn’t work. The guard told us to use the elevator, contrary to public reminders. [Read more.]
Published by rudy
Date posted on April 26, 2019
26 April 2019 – THESE CALL CENTERS IN GLEAMING BUILDINGS MIGHT NEED TO CARE MORE ABOUT THEIR PEOPLE. — Let this employee of a big call center tell the story [translated from Pilipino]: I want to report this security officer in this big building in Ortigas, Pasig. In the 22 April earthquake, the emergency exit…
April 9, 2019 – WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN IN THE PHILIPPINES? “American billionaires call for upgrades to capitalism, starting with higher taxes on themselves” They sound like trade unionists!!!? Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway CEO), Jamie Dimon (J P Morgan Chase CEO), Ray Dalio (Bridgewater hedge fund founder), Bill Gates (Microsoft founder) and a list of others say that capitalism in its current form simply doesn’t work for the rest of the United States, called attention to the growing income gap, and proposed some remedies. Some of their remedies involve higher taxes for the wealthy that would not disrupt productivity, public-private partnerships, productive government spending. And, yes, they have given or have pledged to give millions for public education, philanthropic foundations. [Read more.]
Published by rudy
Date posted on April 9, 2019
Ray Dalio – [Capitalism] doesn’t need to be destroyed, capitalism does need to present an equal opportunity, which he said he received through public education.
27 March 2019 – SINO ANG PASAWAY? Sa Manila ‘to. The national offices of DOLE (labor ministry) and ECOP (employers federation), and many unions are here. Yet, this type of OSH violations continue. (Read more.)
Published by rudy
Date posted on March 27, 2019
27 March 2019 – SINO ANG PASAWAY? Sa Manila ‘to. The national offices of DOLE (labor ministry) and ECOP (employers federation), and many unions are here. Yet, this type of OSH violations continue. Workers are pouring cement into the ground floor of a government-funded school building. The foreman on the top left has no PPE…
13 February 2019 – INFLATION HAS SLOWED DOWN, BUT PRICES CONTINUE RISING! – Economic officials are acting as if prices paid in markets have really gone down. True, the rate of inflation went down to 4.4% in January 2019, the slowest year-on-year in the past 10 months, and economic authorities say inflation rates will go back to projected 2-4% in 2019-2020. The reality is prices continue to rise, and workers and families continue to reel from the non-stop cuts in their buying power. They could afford to buy less and less every month. [Read more.]
Published by rudy
Date posted on February 13, 2019
13 February 2019 – INFLATION HAS SLOWED DOWN, BUT PRICES CONTINUE RISING! – Economic officials are acting as if prices paid in markets have really gone down. True, the rate of inflation went down to 4.4% in January 2019, the slowest year-on-year in the past 10 months, and economic authorities say inflation rates will go…
19 Aug 2018 – A CRUEL INFLATION ABSTRACT! – I hadn’t been to market in two weeks. I was out somewhere. I went to my suki market stall for the usual veggies and all. A woman mamimili asked for the price of ‘patola’, and exclaimed “Wow, ha!” when the seller said P50 per kilo. I smiled. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on August 19, 2018
19 Aug 2018 – A CRUEL INFLATION ABSTRACT! – I hadn’t been to market in two weeks. I was out somewhere. I went to my suki market stall for the usual veggies and all. A woman mamimili asked for the price of ‘patola’, and exclaimed “Wow, ha!” when the seller said P50 per kilo. I…
July 2, 2018 – WE BUY, THEREFORE WE KNOW PRICES HAVE RISEN! THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the prices of most goods it is monitoring have not moved since November, … [Read more.]
Published by rudy
Date posted on July 2, 2018
DTI says only few prices have moved since Nov. by Janina C. Lim, BusinessWorld, Jul 2, 2018 THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the prices of most goods it is monitoring have not moved since November, and neither have its suggested retail price (SRP) ceilings on commonly-purchased goods.
June 24, 2018 – UNION VICTORY IN HANJIN! There will be more, as scores of similar illegal dismissal cases filed as unfair labor practice (ULP) are being heard.
Published by rudy
Date posted on June 24, 2018
June 5, 2018 – WHO’S AFRAID OF MINIMUM WAGES? European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines said foreign investors are more concerned about “red tape” in the country rather than increasing the daily minimum wage. [Read more]
Published by rudy
Date posted on June 5, 2018
By: Anthony Q. Esguerra – Reporter / @AEsguerraINQ INQUIRER.net, Jun 05, 2018 European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen on Tuesday said foreign investors are more concerned about “red tape” in the country rather than increasing the daily minimum wage.
May 12, 2018 – In this age of robotics and automation, Hanjin apparently was ill-equipped to quickly rescue workers when a scaffolding with at least eight workers collapsed. The disorganization in the rescue attempt is clear. The fate of the workers remain unknown. Unionists say the workers will be blamed for the accident, again. Watch the video.
Published by rudy
Date posted on May 12, 2018
April 17, 2018 – LOOK, NO PPE! Workers hold on to iron bars as they work in the seventh floor of a government building under construction in Quezon City. No hard hats, no harnesses! This is one of a number of government construction projects undertaken by private contractors where occupational safety and health concerns appear neglected. Government cannot regulate its own building contractors?
Published by rudy
Date posted on April 17, 2018
Mar 12, 2018 – GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ON WOMEN UNIONISTS IN HANJIN ON WOMEN’S MONTH!
Published by rudy
Date posted on March 12, 2018
Mar 12, 2018 – GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ON WOMEN UNIONISTS IN HANJIN ON WOMEN’S MONTH! In perverse commemoration of Women’s Month, a Korean foreman [foreperson] of shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction – Philippines allegedly committed despicable acts of violence on two women unionists. Women’s month pa naman.
March 8, 2018 – THE 12 RICHEST FILIPINOS HAD A COMBINED FORTUNE OF ABOUT 2.9 TRILLION, NEARLY A FIFTH OF THE DOMESTIC ECONOMY. With an estimated net worth of $20 billion, SM founder Henry Sy Sr. remains the richest among the tycoons from the Philippines who made it to Forbes magazine’s latest annual list of the wealthiest people on the planet. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on March 8, 2018
By: Doris Dumlao-Abadilla – Reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 08, 2018 With an estimated net worth of $20 billion, SM founder Henry Sy Sr. remains the richest among the tycoons from the Philippines who made it to Forbes magazine’s latest annual list of the wealthiest people on the planet.
March 7, 2018 – HUNDREDS OF CANADIAN DOCTORS DEMAND LOWER SALARIES. (YES, LOWER). The physicians group said it could not in good conscience accept pay raises when working conditions remained difficult for others in their profession — including nurses and clerks — and while patients “live with the lack of access to required services because of drastic cuts in recent years.” Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on March 7, 2018
By Amy B Wang, Mar 7, 2018 In a move that can only be described as utterly Canadian, hundreds of doctors in Quebec are protesting their pay raises, saying they already make too much money. As of Wednesday afternoon, more than 700 physicians, residents and medical students from the Canadian province had signed an online…
Feb 4, 2018 – WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO RELEASE WORK CLEARANCES. Scores of employees in call centers and banks have asked for help in speeding up delayed work clearances. They wonder why their clearances and final payments for wages and benefits have been witheld for far too long. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on February 4, 2018
Aggrieved employees say ‘turnaround time’ is usually 2-3 months. However, there are those still waiting six months after completing turnover and other requirements. Employees twist in the wind, inquiring on their status week after week, thus impairing employees’ welfare and productivity. They are cruelly disadvantaged. Clearances are required either for employment or for regularisation with…
15 Jan 2018 – INCREASING POVERTY? In a space of one hour, a succession of five simply-dressed persons, all female, two minors, approached our group of six meeting in a coffee shop in one of the name malls along EDSA. They were quick, not insistent, and went away after we shook our heads. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on January 15, 2018
15 Jan 2018 – INCREASING POVERTY? In a space of one hour, a succession of five simply-dressed persons, all female, two minors, approached our group of six meeting in a coffee shop in one of the name malls along EDSA. They were quick, not insistent, and went away after we shook our heads.
Dec 21, 2017 – WHILE EVERYONE, INCLUDING DOLE, PARTIES: ANOTHER WORK ACCIDENT IN HANJIN. Our Hanjin correspondents report that workers in a cherry picker were hit by a propeller which suddenly rotated in Drydock No. 5 early this morning. Two unionists described the injury as “dugo ang ulo” [bloodied head]
Published by rudy
Date posted on December 21, 2017
Dec 12, 2017 – Hungry supermarket clerk jailed for stealing can of corned beef
Published by rudy
Date posted on December 12, 2017
By: Jhoanna Ballaran, INQINQUIRER.net, Dec 12, 2017 How much does freedom cost? For sales clerk Paul Matthew Tanglao, 21, his freedom cost him P31.50, the price of a can of corned beef he took in the supermarket where he was working – because he was hungry.
December 6, 2017 – A NEW LEVEL OF HANJIN OPPRESSION! Hanjin in the Philippines is actively opposing union organising in its contractors. Its workers, undeterred by serial illegal dismissals, harassment, discrimination, sexual incidents, physical abuse, diminution of benefits, and hundreds of other unfair labor practices, including transfers of work sites, illegal detention and death threats even, during the campaign and the past three certification elections (CEs) for workers representation, in the Korean company, are now required to submit “NOTARIZED” medical certificates in support of applications for leave of absence. View the Hanjin Inter-Office Memorandum to properly appreciate another certified Hanjin practice against its hapless workers.
Published by rudy
Date posted on December 6, 2017
View the Hanjin Inter-Office Memorandum to properly appreciate another certified Hanjin practice against its hapless workers.
Nov. 11, 2017 – ANOTHER HANJIN WORKER FALLS TO DEATH! AMAPO- TUCP union workers report a worker on allegedly “overtime, over day” fell to his death Friday afternoon in Dock 5 at Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp. Philippines in Subic Bay. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on November 13, 2017
‘Overtime, over day’ is the workers’ pejorative term for the very long hours in certain sections in Hanjin. Workers cite these long hours as contributing to exhaustion, illnesses and, worse, fatal accidents. The accident is another in a series of many deaths and injuries in shipbuilder Hanjin, even after DOLE allegedly looked into the ‘bad’…
Nov. 9, 2017 – SO OBVIOUS! COMPANIES HAVE KEPT THE BENEFITS OF PRODUCTIVITY FOR THEMSELVES. – In 1930, the economist John Maynard Keynes predictedthat technological change and productivity improvements would eventually lead to a 15-hour workweek. But, despite significant productivity gains over the past few decades, we still work 40 hours a week on average.Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on November 9, 2017
Keynes’s reasoning was that by producing more with less (also known as being more productive), all of our needs would be met through less work, freeing up more time for leisure. But the data and research since Keynes’s time suggest that companies have kept the benefits of productivity for themselves. Why our productivity destroyed the…
October 24, 2017 – WHAT???!!! AN EMPLOYER CALLING FOR A WAGE INCREASE??!! Sid Consunji calls for wage hike for construction workers. The DMCI Holdings chairman and president believes a P200-300 salary increase will address labor shortage. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on October 17, 2017
Property Tycoon Urges Php200-300 Hike in Daily Wages for Construction Workers A boon for labor, the proposal could be tough for small construction firms that cannot absorb the extra cost By Pauline Macaraeg | Oct 17, 2017 Calls for higher wages are rather commonplace, especially from the country’s leftist labor unions. But a proposal to…
September 28, 2017 – COMPLETE WITH SAFETY BELT, INDE NAMAN GINAMIT! [BUT WAS NOT USED]. This is not an unusual practice in the Philippines. The safety and health culture have not been fully developed. Implementation of regulations need much improvement.
Published by rudy
Date posted on September 28, 2017
August 17, 2017 – KAHIYA! PART 2 – The Central Luzon RTWPB issued its Wage Order DOUBLING the wages of some 25,000 domestic workers (kasambahays) in the region. That leaves only three regions, including Metro Manila and Davao, who have not issued a Wage Order adjusting the wages of domestic workers (kasambahays) 55 MONTHS AFTER PASSAGE OF BATAS KASAMBAHAY 10361. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on August 17, 2017
August 17, 2017 – KAHIYA! PART 2 – The Central Luzon RTWPB issued its Wage Order DOUBLING the wages of some 25,000 domestic workers (kasambahays) in the region.
July 24, 2017 – HOW MANY COULD BE LIKE THIS? Ben Chan takes all 425 loyal Bench employees to HK – Bilyonaryo. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on July 24, 2017
July 19, 2017 – GARMENT AND TEXTILE EXPORTERS TO EUROPE HAVE TO BE COMPLIANT WITH LABOR REGULATIONS. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on July 19, 2017
DTI, DoLE to certify labor practices of textile firms tapping GSP+ by Victor V. Saulon, Businessworld, Jul 19, 2017 THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to sign a joint order with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) that will highlight the country’s insistence on compliance with global labor standards in the…
July 14, 2017 – THERE GOES WORK SAFETY AND HEALTH! Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on July 14, 2017
Mga bubog ng bote ng beer na sumambulat mula sa isang trak sa Cloverleaf, Quezon City, pinapala na upang maitabi. by @zhandercayabyab See photos here.
June 29, 2017 – THERE MUST BE A MISTAKE HERE. TOO FEW CONTRACTUALS? Over 180,000 contractual workers nationwide are still waiting for regularization almost a year after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched an intensified campaign against the endo (end of contract) scheme. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on June 29, 2017
Over 180,000 workers awaiting regularization By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star), Jun 29, 2017 MANILA, Philippines – Over 180,000 contractual workers nationwide are still waiting for regularization almost a year after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched an intensified campaign against the endo (end of contract) scheme.
June 19, 2017 – Philippine economic reality – “Here is the economic reality. All sectors of the Philippine economy—government, corporate and particularly consumer—are arguably some of lowest in the world. A cash-based economy, particularly on the consumer side, may grow more slowly but that growth will be more sustainable and robust.” [WORKERS WITHOUT GAINS IN REAL WAGES IS A GLARING REALITY – TUCP.] Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on June 18, 2017
Philippine economic reality By BusinessMirror Editorial, Jun 18, 2017 The Philippines faces many problems. Some are critical, like the Marawi rebellion; others are merely annoying, like the fact that when school starts, so does the rainy season. However, overall, the Philippines does not have economic problems despite Filipinos being told constantly that we do.
June 12, 2017 — A MINIMUM INCOME FOR ALL? Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on June 13, 2017
A minimum income for all? By: Cielito F. Habito, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jun 13, 2017 There is something wrong with our system when I can leave here and make billions of dollars in 10 years while millions of students can’t afford to pay off their loans, let alone start a business,” observed Facebook creator Mark…
June 6, 2017 – How to prepare the next generation for jobs in the AI economy. Read more.
Published by rudy
Date posted on June 5, 2017
by David KosbieAndrew W. MooreMark Stehlik, Jun 5, 2017 Most of us regard self-driving cars, voice assistants, and other artificially intelligent technologies as revolutionary. For the next generation, however, these wonders will have always existed. AI for them will be more than a tool; in many cases, AI will be their co-worker and a ubiquitous…
