AMP 2nd All Leaders Assembly
Kami ang mga lider ng mga samahan at organisasyon sa mga komunidad ng maralita sa Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog at Central Luzon. Sa mga komunidad na ito matatagpuan ang isa sa bawat apat na Pilipino. Naririto ang kalakhan ng tinatawag na maralitang tagalungsod.
Binibigkis namin ang aming mga sarili sa Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino upang maging tinig at tambuli ng mga karaingan at kahilingan, panawagan at paninindigan ng mahihirap sa ating bayan.
Sa ating mga komunidad, natutunan nating nasa pagkakaisa ang lakas at nasa pagkilos ang tagumpay. Iniaangat namin ngayon sa mas mataas na antas ang pagkakaisa at pagkilos na ito. Nagkakapit-bisig tayo upang isulong ang pangkalahatang paglaban ng mga maralita para sa pabahay, kabuhayan at pagbabago.
Sa partikular, ipaglalaban natin ang kagyat na mga kahilingan ng maralita sa harap ng krisis pang-ekonomiya:
1. Moratorium sa demolisyon at foreclosure.
2. Condonation sa mga multa at interes sa low-cost at socialized housing loans.
3. Reporma at paglawak ng patrabaho ng gobyerno para sa 3 milyong walang hanapbuhay.
4. Paglaan ng 20% ng lupain sa housing projects para sa socialized housing.
5. Paglipat ng P330 bilyong stimulus fund para sa suporta sa mahihirap sa halip na infrastructure projects.
Lagpas dito ay isusulong natin ang panawagang baliktarin ang mga patakarang nagpapatindi sa krisis pang-ekonomiya at nagpapalala sa pagdarahop ng mamamayan. Ibasura ang patakaran ng liberalisasyon, deregulasyon at pribatisasyon. Protektahan ang lokal na industriya at agrikultura upang mapalakas ang lokal na ekonomiya at magkaroon ng trabaho ang bawat Pilipino.
Pero ang ultimong solusyon sa kahirapan ay ang pagtatatag ng isang lipunang ang prayoridad ay hindi ang tubo ng mayayaman kundi ang pangangailangan ng taumbayan.
Ang susi sa tagumpay ng kagyat at pangmatagalang labang ito ay ang pagbubuo ng isang malakas na kilusang maralita na magiging kaagapay ng kilusang manggagawa. Ang isang makapangyarihang kilusan ng manggagawa at maralita ang pupukaw sa sambayanan upang baguhin ang bulok na sistema sa ating bayan.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Militant workers slam anti-communist solon for protest ban bid
Press Release
May 29, 2009
The militant labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed Pastor Alcover Jr. for filing a resolution seeking to ban rallies and pickets at the Batasang Pambansa. “Alcover should read the Constitution so he can be educated that the freedom of assembly, speech and the right to seek redress of grievances are guaranteed by the fundamental law of the land. The people can already imagine the kind of Frankenstein constitution that will be concocted by solons like Alcover if the proposed constituent assembly pushes through,” averred Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.
PM was one of the groups that participated in the latest protest action in the Batasang Pambansa last Monday that was marred by violence as House security used water cannons against rallyists. Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action led that rally against charter change and for the passage of the agrarian reform bill.
The labor group called on Congress to scrap the proposed ban on rallies at Batasan. Miranda stated “Instead of curtailing the people’s civil liberties, Congress must act on the CARP extension with reform bill and the three pending resolutions at the Senate calling for a workers bailout.”
PM also gave an “unsolicited advice” to Alcover. “As a Cebuano, the first thing Alcover should have done was to file a bill at Congress to protect workers against the impact of the economic crisis as layoffs and rotations continue unabated in and out of the Mactan export zone. If they have the interests of the workers at heart, we challenge Alcover and other Cebu solons to file a counterpart bill at the lower house providing for a bailout of the workers,” Miranda insisted.
She added that Alcover’s claims that protests are a grave threat to solons and the public is dishonest. “Rallies remain peaceful and violence only ensues when authorities try to disperse protesters. It is the anti-people laws passed by Congress that pose a clear and present danger to the people and the poor. It is only through mass action that workers and farmers can influence Congress since they do not have the lobby money dished out by vested interests like big landlords and capitalists,” explained Miranda.
“If Alcover is opposed to the positions advanced by groups that rally in Congress then he and his anti-communist group has all the freedom to undertake counter-protests. We dare him to exercise rather than suppress this freedom,” Miranda ended.
May 29, 2009
The militant labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) slammed Pastor Alcover Jr. for filing a resolution seeking to ban rallies and pickets at the Batasang Pambansa. “Alcover should read the Constitution so he can be educated that the freedom of assembly, speech and the right to seek redress of grievances are guaranteed by the fundamental law of the land. The people can already imagine the kind of Frankenstein constitution that will be concocted by solons like Alcover if the proposed constituent assembly pushes through,” averred Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.
PM was one of the groups that participated in the latest protest action in the Batasang Pambansa last Monday that was marred by violence as House security used water cannons against rallyists. Bishop Broderick Pabillo of the CBCP National Secretariat for Social Action led that rally against charter change and for the passage of the agrarian reform bill.
The labor group called on Congress to scrap the proposed ban on rallies at Batasan. Miranda stated “Instead of curtailing the people’s civil liberties, Congress must act on the CARP extension with reform bill and the three pending resolutions at the Senate calling for a workers bailout.”
PM also gave an “unsolicited advice” to Alcover. “As a Cebuano, the first thing Alcover should have done was to file a bill at Congress to protect workers against the impact of the economic crisis as layoffs and rotations continue unabated in and out of the Mactan export zone. If they have the interests of the workers at heart, we challenge Alcover and other Cebu solons to file a counterpart bill at the lower house providing for a bailout of the workers,” Miranda insisted.
She added that Alcover’s claims that protests are a grave threat to solons and the public is dishonest. “Rallies remain peaceful and violence only ensues when authorities try to disperse protesters. It is the anti-people laws passed by Congress that pose a clear and present danger to the people and the poor. It is only through mass action that workers and farmers can influence Congress since they do not have the lobby money dished out by vested interests like big landlords and capitalists,” explained Miranda.
“If Alcover is opposed to the positions advanced by groups that rally in Congress then he and his anti-communist group has all the freedom to undertake counter-protests. We dare him to exercise rather than suppress this freedom,” Miranda ended.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Workers join farmers in rally vs chacha, call for CARPER and bailout
Press Release
May 25, 2009
Workers, urban poor and farmers will join forces today in a big rally against moves in Congress for charter change. The rallyists will also demand the passage of the CARP extension and reform bill, and call for a bailout for those affected by the global recession.
“Revising the Constitution to benefit GMA is a scandal worse than Hayden Kho violating his girlfriends. Instead of responding to the challenge of worsening poverty and unemployment, Congress is busy with chacha for the purpose of extending GMA’s term. We might wake up one morning with GMA returning to power as Prime Minister via con-ass or con-con,” argued Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) chair.
PM will lead a mobilization of 1,000 workers and poor that will merge with several thousand farmers and other rallyists at Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth by 1 p.m. today and then march to the Batasang Pambansa by 2 p.m. Catholic bishops led by Bishop Broderick Pabillo will hold a mass at the St. Peter Parish at noon and then link up with the workers and farmers rally.
The theme of the several thousand-strong joint mobilization is “No to GMA’s charter change, Yes to social change.” The rally will demand that the House of Representatives scrap Resolution 737 filed by Speaker Nograles and even proposed bills for a constitutional convention. Aside from calling for CARPER’s passage in the House, workers are also appealing that the Senate act on three resolutions filed proposing a bailout package for the displaced and unemployed.
Magtubo added that “After Villafuerte’s necrological service for Resolution 1109 that provides for a con-ass, it is high time to bury Nograles’ Resolution 737 and other charter change proposals that will only benefit foreigners and trapos. The workers and farmers movement will be the gravediggers of GMA’s chacha.”
Aside from PM, other groups to participate in the rally include the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP), Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO), Rosario Workers Association (RWA), United Cavite Workers Association (UCWA) and Fortune Tobacco Labor Union (FTLU).
May 25, 2009
Workers, urban poor and farmers will join forces today in a big rally against moves in Congress for charter change. The rallyists will also demand the passage of the CARP extension and reform bill, and call for a bailout for those affected by the global recession.
“Revising the Constitution to benefit GMA is a scandal worse than Hayden Kho violating his girlfriends. Instead of responding to the challenge of worsening poverty and unemployment, Congress is busy with chacha for the purpose of extending GMA’s term. We might wake up one morning with GMA returning to power as Prime Minister via con-ass or con-con,” argued Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) chair.
PM will lead a mobilization of 1,000 workers and poor that will merge with several thousand farmers and other rallyists at Ever Gotesco, Commonwealth by 1 p.m. today and then march to the Batasang Pambansa by 2 p.m. Catholic bishops led by Bishop Broderick Pabillo will hold a mass at the St. Peter Parish at noon and then link up with the workers and farmers rally.
The theme of the several thousand-strong joint mobilization is “No to GMA’s charter change, Yes to social change.” The rally will demand that the House of Representatives scrap Resolution 737 filed by Speaker Nograles and even proposed bills for a constitutional convention. Aside from calling for CARPER’s passage in the House, workers are also appealing that the Senate act on three resolutions filed proposing a bailout package for the displaced and unemployed.
Magtubo added that “After Villafuerte’s necrological service for Resolution 1109 that provides for a con-ass, it is high time to bury Nograles’ Resolution 737 and other charter change proposals that will only benefit foreigners and trapos. The workers and farmers movement will be the gravediggers of GMA’s chacha.”
Aside from PM, other groups to participate in the rally include the Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP), Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO), Rosario Workers Association (RWA), United Cavite Workers Association (UCWA) and Fortune Tobacco Labor Union (FTLU).
Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng Manggagawa sa Laban ng Magsasaka para sa Lupa at Hustisya
Nais ipabatid ng mga manggagawa sa nakapakahalagang okasyong ito ang aming mahigpit na pakikiisa sa pakikibaka ng mga kapatid naming magsasaka para sa lupa at hustisya. Hangad namin – at para dito ay handa kaming mag-alay ng walang sawang suporta -- sa ikatatagumpay ng inyong pakikibaka.
Sa inyo, at sa buong uring anakpawis, ay walang pag-aalinlangan ang aming pakikipag-alyansa. Ang matibay na pagkakapatiran ng manggagawa at magsasaka ang pinakamahalagang alyansang dapat mabuo sa harap ng inhustisyang nararanasan ng buong bayan sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang sistema na pinaghaharian ng mga elitista.
Itinuturing namin ang inyong pakikibakang agraryo bilang pakikibaka para sa hustisyang panlipunan. At ang hustisyang panlipunan, para sa amin, ang tanging hakbang upang ang bayang ito ay umunlad at ang masang Pinoy ay mabuhay ng may dignidad.
Hindi gaya ngayon na ang karangalan ng mga Pinoy ay umaangat lamang kapag may nana-knockout si Manny Pacquiao.
Hustisya ang kahulugan ng pakikibakang agraryo dahil mula sa maliit na minorya ay ipamamahagi ang mga lupain sa mayorya ng mamamayan sa kanayunan. Sa katunayan, ang pangarap ng mga manggagawa ay lahat ng lupain na kakailanganin para sa progresong panlipunan ay mailagay sa kontrol ng buong lipunan – na ang nakapagpapasya ay ang tunay na mayorya ng mamamayan.
Hindi gaya ngayon na ang desisyon kung saan gagamitin ang libu-libong ektarya ng mga lupain ay nasa kamay ng iilang pamilya. Gamitin man nila ito hindi sa produksyon ng pagkain kundi sa produskyon ng pabango, o kaya ay biofuel, wala tayong kinalaman. Dahil ang mga lupaing ito ay kanilang pribadong pag-aari at hindi ng lipunan.
Nakakalungkot ang ganitong larawan pero ganito ang ating sitwasyon sa nakalipas na ilang daang taon. Alam ng lahat na mali ang sistemang ito. Nakasulat sa mga libro at itinuturo sa mga unibersidad na mali ito. Alam ng simabahan na mali ito. Alam ng mga internasyunal na institusyon gaya ng United Nations na ang sistemang ito ay nagluluwal ng inekwalidad. Kaya nga sa maraming bansa, lalo na sa mga mauunlad na bansa, maaga nilang tinapos ang repormang agraryo.
Sa Japan halimbawa ay inabot lamang ng halos limang taon ang repormang agraryo. Ganundin sa Korea at maging sa China. Pero dito sa Pilipinas, tinubuan na ang CARP ng buhok at inabot na nga ng comatose pero nanatili pa ring konsentrado ang malalawak na lupain sa iilang tao. Kung bakit ganito ang mismong paliwanag kung anong sistema meron tayo.
Kung sa ibang bansa ay dagling ipinatupad ng mismong gubyerno repormang agraryo, dito sa atin ang mga nakaupo mismo sa poder ng gubyerno ang siyang ayaw ng repormang agraryo. Ayaw ng mga landlord na kongresman dahil ayaw nilang isuko ang kanilang pribadong pag-aari. Ayaw ng iba pang mga pulitiko dahil ayaw nilang mawala ang suporta ng kanilang mga padrinong landlord. Ganito kasimple ang alam naming paliwanag kung bakit di matapos-tapos ang repormang agraryo sa Pilipinas.
Sobra-sobra ang katwiran para sa repormang agraryo pero sobra-sobra naman ang lakas at kapit ng mga asendero sa gubyerno. Dahil kanila ang gubyerno. Dahil kanila ang Kongreso. At sa maraming pagkakataon, di ba’t kanila rin ang husgado?
Mga kapatid na magsasaka. Tanging kayo, kami, at sa pagkakataong ito – ang Simabahan ang magkakampi sa labang ito. Pahigpitin pa natin ang pagkakaisang ito. Anuman ang sapitin ng labang ito sa nalalabing ilang araw na ilalagi ng Kongreso bago magrecess, tibayan natin ang ating loob, palakasin pa natin ang ating hanay. At mananatili nyo kaming kaagapay hanggang sa tagumpay.
Mabuhay kayo!!
Labor Alliance for Better Order and Reform (LABOR)
May 25, 2009
Sa inyo, at sa buong uring anakpawis, ay walang pag-aalinlangan ang aming pakikipag-alyansa. Ang matibay na pagkakapatiran ng manggagawa at magsasaka ang pinakamahalagang alyansang dapat mabuo sa harap ng inhustisyang nararanasan ng buong bayan sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang sistema na pinaghaharian ng mga elitista.
Itinuturing namin ang inyong pakikibakang agraryo bilang pakikibaka para sa hustisyang panlipunan. At ang hustisyang panlipunan, para sa amin, ang tanging hakbang upang ang bayang ito ay umunlad at ang masang Pinoy ay mabuhay ng may dignidad.
Hindi gaya ngayon na ang karangalan ng mga Pinoy ay umaangat lamang kapag may nana-knockout si Manny Pacquiao.
Hustisya ang kahulugan ng pakikibakang agraryo dahil mula sa maliit na minorya ay ipamamahagi ang mga lupain sa mayorya ng mamamayan sa kanayunan. Sa katunayan, ang pangarap ng mga manggagawa ay lahat ng lupain na kakailanganin para sa progresong panlipunan ay mailagay sa kontrol ng buong lipunan – na ang nakapagpapasya ay ang tunay na mayorya ng mamamayan.
Hindi gaya ngayon na ang desisyon kung saan gagamitin ang libu-libong ektarya ng mga lupain ay nasa kamay ng iilang pamilya. Gamitin man nila ito hindi sa produksyon ng pagkain kundi sa produskyon ng pabango, o kaya ay biofuel, wala tayong kinalaman. Dahil ang mga lupaing ito ay kanilang pribadong pag-aari at hindi ng lipunan.
Nakakalungkot ang ganitong larawan pero ganito ang ating sitwasyon sa nakalipas na ilang daang taon. Alam ng lahat na mali ang sistemang ito. Nakasulat sa mga libro at itinuturo sa mga unibersidad na mali ito. Alam ng simabahan na mali ito. Alam ng mga internasyunal na institusyon gaya ng United Nations na ang sistemang ito ay nagluluwal ng inekwalidad. Kaya nga sa maraming bansa, lalo na sa mga mauunlad na bansa, maaga nilang tinapos ang repormang agraryo.
Sa Japan halimbawa ay inabot lamang ng halos limang taon ang repormang agraryo. Ganundin sa Korea at maging sa China. Pero dito sa Pilipinas, tinubuan na ang CARP ng buhok at inabot na nga ng comatose pero nanatili pa ring konsentrado ang malalawak na lupain sa iilang tao. Kung bakit ganito ang mismong paliwanag kung anong sistema meron tayo.
Kung sa ibang bansa ay dagling ipinatupad ng mismong gubyerno repormang agraryo, dito sa atin ang mga nakaupo mismo sa poder ng gubyerno ang siyang ayaw ng repormang agraryo. Ayaw ng mga landlord na kongresman dahil ayaw nilang isuko ang kanilang pribadong pag-aari. Ayaw ng iba pang mga pulitiko dahil ayaw nilang mawala ang suporta ng kanilang mga padrinong landlord. Ganito kasimple ang alam naming paliwanag kung bakit di matapos-tapos ang repormang agraryo sa Pilipinas.
Sobra-sobra ang katwiran para sa repormang agraryo pero sobra-sobra naman ang lakas at kapit ng mga asendero sa gubyerno. Dahil kanila ang gubyerno. Dahil kanila ang Kongreso. At sa maraming pagkakataon, di ba’t kanila rin ang husgado?
Mga kapatid na magsasaka. Tanging kayo, kami, at sa pagkakataong ito – ang Simabahan ang magkakampi sa labang ito. Pahigpitin pa natin ang pagkakaisang ito. Anuman ang sapitin ng labang ito sa nalalabing ilang araw na ilalagi ng Kongreso bago magrecess, tibayan natin ang ating loob, palakasin pa natin ang ating hanay. At mananatili nyo kaming kaagapay hanggang sa tagumpay.
Mabuhay kayo!!
Labor Alliance for Better Order and Reform (LABOR)
May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng PM sa Kongreso ng UNORKA
Pagbati sa pagbubukas ng kongreso ng UNORKA! Bilang mga lider ng Partido ng Manggagawa, itinuturing namin ang aming mga sarili na mga kinatawan ng mulat na manggagawa na nakikipagkaisa sa inyo na mga delagado ng mga progresibong magsasaka.
Mula noong nakaraang taon hanggang sa ngayon ay ilang beses nang nagsanib ang pagkilos ng mga manggagawa at mobilisasyon ng mga magsasaka. Nagsimula ito bandang Marso 2008 sa isang rali na urban and rural poor solidarity. Nitong huli—gaya nang nakaraang Disyembre—ay tampok ang pagsuporta ng mga manggagawa sa kahilingan ng mga magsasaka para sa Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reform o CARPER kung tawagin.
Gusto namin idiin na sinusuportahan ng Partido ng Manggagawa ang laban ng magsasaka sapagkat gusto naming mapanday ang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka. Ang alyansang ito ang gulugod ng kilusang masa na may lakas na baguhin ang lipunang Pilipino.
Sa ngayon ang alyansang ito ay nasa antas ng pang-ekonomiyang laban. Dapat mapaunlad ito sa batayang anti-globalisasyon at anti-sistema. Hanggang rumurok sa pampulitikang pakikibaka para sa panlipunang pagbabago.
Pagsumikapan nating isulong ang alyansang ito dahil ito ang nawawalang salik kaya’t kapos sa pwersa at di magtagumpay ang pagpapatalsik sa kasalukuyang rehimen. Hindi alyansa ng kilusang masa sa isang paksyon ng naghaharing uri ang paraan. Lalong hindi ang shortcut ng isang kudetang militar ang sagot. Hindi rin lang ito kawalan ng isang “popular leader” na magbibigay-inspirasyon sa publiko. Ang makapangyarihang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka na nagdadala ng panawagang “Palitan ang sistema” ang pupukaw sa militansya ng mamamayang Pilipino.
Habang binubuo natin ang pagkakaisa ng mga manggagawa at magsasaka para sa panlipunang hustisya at panlipunang pagbabago, mayroon lang kaming nais ilambing sa inyo.
Nakikiusap kami sa mga magsasaka na sa halip na pribadong pag-aari ng lupa ay nasyunalisasyon ng lupain ang ating isulong. Ibig sabihin ng nasyunalisasyon ng lupa ay isang rebolusyonaryong estado, ng isang gobyerno ng manggagawa at magsasaka, ang mag-aari sa lupa sa ngalan ng buong mamamayan upang ang sinumang nais magsaka ay may karapatang bungkalin ang sakahan.
Ang pribadong pag-aari ng lupa kasi ay magiging bukal ng panibagong porma ng pagsasamantala. Gaya ng nasasaksikan sa kanayunan, ang isang seksyon ng mga magsasakang nabiyayaan ng lupa ay aangat ang kabuhayan sa pagiging mayamang magsasaka at uupahan nila bilang trabahador ang mga manggagawang bukid na magmumula sa mga magsasakang bumagsak ang kabuhayan. Sa ganitong sitwasyon—na aktwal nang nangyayari sa kanayunan—magbabangga ang interes ng magsasaka at manggagawa.
Ilinaw lang namin uli. Kinukumbinsi ng mga manggagawa ang magsasaka sa kawastuhan ng nasyunalisasyon at hindi ito ipipilit kung labag sa kalooban ng mga kapatid na magbubukid. At gusto ng manggagawa ang nasyunalisasyon ng lupa kung magkakaroon ng isang rebolusyonaryong gobyerno hindi sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang bulok na sistema.
Kaya naman sa pagitan ng panawagan ng magsasaka na CARPER sa isang banda at sa kabilang banda, ang panukalang GARB at laluna ang posisyon ng asendero na patayin ang repormang agraryo, malinaw kung kanino dapat kumampi ang manggagawa.
Maasahan ng mga magsasaka ang manggagawa sa labang ito. Ang maso at ang karet ay di maipaghihiwalay sa pakikibaka para sa repormang agraryo.
Mabuhay ang pagkakaisa ng manggagawa at magsasaka! Pagtibayin ang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka para sa pagbabago ng sistema!
Mula noong nakaraang taon hanggang sa ngayon ay ilang beses nang nagsanib ang pagkilos ng mga manggagawa at mobilisasyon ng mga magsasaka. Nagsimula ito bandang Marso 2008 sa isang rali na urban and rural poor solidarity. Nitong huli—gaya nang nakaraang Disyembre—ay tampok ang pagsuporta ng mga manggagawa sa kahilingan ng mga magsasaka para sa Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reform o CARPER kung tawagin.
Gusto namin idiin na sinusuportahan ng Partido ng Manggagawa ang laban ng magsasaka sapagkat gusto naming mapanday ang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka. Ang alyansang ito ang gulugod ng kilusang masa na may lakas na baguhin ang lipunang Pilipino.
Sa ngayon ang alyansang ito ay nasa antas ng pang-ekonomiyang laban. Dapat mapaunlad ito sa batayang anti-globalisasyon at anti-sistema. Hanggang rumurok sa pampulitikang pakikibaka para sa panlipunang pagbabago.
Pagsumikapan nating isulong ang alyansang ito dahil ito ang nawawalang salik kaya’t kapos sa pwersa at di magtagumpay ang pagpapatalsik sa kasalukuyang rehimen. Hindi alyansa ng kilusang masa sa isang paksyon ng naghaharing uri ang paraan. Lalong hindi ang shortcut ng isang kudetang militar ang sagot. Hindi rin lang ito kawalan ng isang “popular leader” na magbibigay-inspirasyon sa publiko. Ang makapangyarihang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka na nagdadala ng panawagang “Palitan ang sistema” ang pupukaw sa militansya ng mamamayang Pilipino.
Habang binubuo natin ang pagkakaisa ng mga manggagawa at magsasaka para sa panlipunang hustisya at panlipunang pagbabago, mayroon lang kaming nais ilambing sa inyo.
Nakikiusap kami sa mga magsasaka na sa halip na pribadong pag-aari ng lupa ay nasyunalisasyon ng lupain ang ating isulong. Ibig sabihin ng nasyunalisasyon ng lupa ay isang rebolusyonaryong estado, ng isang gobyerno ng manggagawa at magsasaka, ang mag-aari sa lupa sa ngalan ng buong mamamayan upang ang sinumang nais magsaka ay may karapatang bungkalin ang sakahan.
Ang pribadong pag-aari ng lupa kasi ay magiging bukal ng panibagong porma ng pagsasamantala. Gaya ng nasasaksikan sa kanayunan, ang isang seksyon ng mga magsasakang nabiyayaan ng lupa ay aangat ang kabuhayan sa pagiging mayamang magsasaka at uupahan nila bilang trabahador ang mga manggagawang bukid na magmumula sa mga magsasakang bumagsak ang kabuhayan. Sa ganitong sitwasyon—na aktwal nang nangyayari sa kanayunan—magbabangga ang interes ng magsasaka at manggagawa.
Ilinaw lang namin uli. Kinukumbinsi ng mga manggagawa ang magsasaka sa kawastuhan ng nasyunalisasyon at hindi ito ipipilit kung labag sa kalooban ng mga kapatid na magbubukid. At gusto ng manggagawa ang nasyunalisasyon ng lupa kung magkakaroon ng isang rebolusyonaryong gobyerno hindi sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang bulok na sistema.
Kaya naman sa pagitan ng panawagan ng magsasaka na CARPER sa isang banda at sa kabilang banda, ang panukalang GARB at laluna ang posisyon ng asendero na patayin ang repormang agraryo, malinaw kung kanino dapat kumampi ang manggagawa.
Maasahan ng mga magsasaka ang manggagawa sa labang ito. Ang maso at ang karet ay di maipaghihiwalay sa pakikibaka para sa repormang agraryo.
Mabuhay ang pagkakaisa ng manggagawa at magsasaka! Pagtibayin ang alyansa ng manggagawa at magsasaka para sa pagbabago ng sistema!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Workers urge Senate to act on bailout resolution
Press Release
May 16, 2009
The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) urged the Senate to start hearings on proposed resolutions for a bailout of the working class before Congress ends its session on June 3. Three separate resolutions have been filed in the last several weeks pushing for a set of pro-labor demands. Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson, said that “A Senate resolution calling for a bailout of the workers is a belated but welcome gift. No matter that it is after May 1 as long as it is before June 3.”
The three resolutions were filed separately by Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Chiz Escudero and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. Though slightly different, the resolutions are similar since they were all based on a proposal drafted by PM in consultation with other labor groups.
Magtubo revealed that representatives of labor groups are planning to lobby the Senate in the coming days to urge action on the proposals. The effort for a Senate resolution on a “workers bailout” is part of a campaign for immediate and medium-term response to the impact of the global economic crisis.
“A Senate resolution for a workers bailout is an urgent necessity despite the media spin being peddled by government about an economic recovery. The SWS survey about an unemployment rate of 34% has already exposed government’s lie about a mere 7.7% jobless figure. We challenge government to name names and identify the firms that have rehired their displaced workers for we know of no factory at the export zones that have taken back even a substantial portion of their retrenched employees,” explained Magtubo.
Senate Resolution No. 1064 was filed by Sen. Estrada last May 15. Meanwhile Senate Resolution No. 1029 was filed April 28 by Sen. Escudero. And Senate Resolution 919 was filed by Sen. Villar on March 3 and referred to the Labor Committee headed by Sen. Estrada.
The labor groups are also courting the support of the Catholic hierarchy with Archbishop Cardinal Rosales already committed to the workers bailout and a Church-backed Alyansa ng Manggagawa, Magsasaka at Maralita (AM3) launched last May 1.
The immediate demands being pushed by labor groups includes an unemployment subsidy, universal health care, tax refund, reform of the public employment program and a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The middle-term reforms call for reversal of policies such as liberalization, deregulation and privatization.
May 16, 2009
The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) urged the Senate to start hearings on proposed resolutions for a bailout of the working class before Congress ends its session on June 3. Three separate resolutions have been filed in the last several weeks pushing for a set of pro-labor demands. Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson, said that “A Senate resolution calling for a bailout of the workers is a belated but welcome gift. No matter that it is after May 1 as long as it is before June 3.”
The three resolutions were filed separately by Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Chiz Escudero and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. Though slightly different, the resolutions are similar since they were all based on a proposal drafted by PM in consultation with other labor groups.
Magtubo revealed that representatives of labor groups are planning to lobby the Senate in the coming days to urge action on the proposals. The effort for a Senate resolution on a “workers bailout” is part of a campaign for immediate and medium-term response to the impact of the global economic crisis.
“A Senate resolution for a workers bailout is an urgent necessity despite the media spin being peddled by government about an economic recovery. The SWS survey about an unemployment rate of 34% has already exposed government’s lie about a mere 7.7% jobless figure. We challenge government to name names and identify the firms that have rehired their displaced workers for we know of no factory at the export zones that have taken back even a substantial portion of their retrenched employees,” explained Magtubo.
Senate Resolution No. 1064 was filed by Sen. Estrada last May 15. Meanwhile Senate Resolution No. 1029 was filed April 28 by Sen. Escudero. And Senate Resolution 919 was filed by Sen. Villar on March 3 and referred to the Labor Committee headed by Sen. Estrada.
The labor groups are also courting the support of the Catholic hierarchy with Archbishop Cardinal Rosales already committed to the workers bailout and a Church-backed Alyansa ng Manggagawa, Magsasaka at Maralita (AM3) launched last May 1.
The immediate demands being pushed by labor groups includes an unemployment subsidy, universal health care, tax refund, reform of the public employment program and a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The middle-term reforms call for reversal of policies such as liberalization, deregulation and privatization.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Cebu workers picket agency for labor standards violations, contest claims of rehiring
Press Release
May 15, 2009
Around a hundred workers from Sauna World (Sawo) picketed their manpower agency this morning at Mandaue City in protest at violations of labor standards. The agency workers were joined by former regular employees of Sawo and other members of Partido ng Manggagawa in the picket.
The workers are also asking that the Department of Labor investigate Cebu General Services for its non-payment of separation pay and other violations of labor standards. Cebu General Services is a big manpower agency that supplies contractual workers to the Mactan Export Processing Zone and even to the giant Mitsumi electronics factory in Danao.
Dennis Derige, spokesperson for PM in Cebu, said that “Manpower agencies are exploiting and thereby benefiting from the economic crisis. They are used as an alibi by their principals not to pay separation pay to retrenched workers. We are calling on all agencies workers to organize so they could assert their rights and welfare.”
The agency workers filed a case yesterday against both Sawo and Cebu General Services at the National Labor Relations Commission for illegal dismissal and non-payment of separation pay. Both the agency and regular workers were dismissed from Sawo last April 13 in the wake of a corporate dispute.
The agency workers had demanded from Sawo the same separation pay they gave to regular workers but they were referred instead to the Cebu General Services. Cebu General Services however refuses to give them separation pay since they will allegedly be reassigned though they have remained jobless since their termination from Sawo.
The agency employees argue that there are no more jobs for skilled sauna workers since there is no other sauna factory in Cebu. Sawo is the biggest sauna equipment maker in the whole of Asia.
Derige also assailed the government for its pronouncements on economic recovery and job rehiring. He explained that “We are asking the government to identify which export firms that have retrenched workers have rehired and how workers have reclaimed their jobs. At the grassroots level, we know of no factory inside MEPZ that have rehired their retrenched workers.”
PM is claiming that job rehiring is “another myth from this government of lies.” Derige added that “News of rehiring is a lie no different from the fake low unemployment figures that have been exposed by the recent SWS survey that show joblessness at 34% instead of just 7.7%.”
May 15, 2009
Around a hundred workers from Sauna World (Sawo) picketed their manpower agency this morning at Mandaue City in protest at violations of labor standards. The agency workers were joined by former regular employees of Sawo and other members of Partido ng Manggagawa in the picket.
The workers are also asking that the Department of Labor investigate Cebu General Services for its non-payment of separation pay and other violations of labor standards. Cebu General Services is a big manpower agency that supplies contractual workers to the Mactan Export Processing Zone and even to the giant Mitsumi electronics factory in Danao.
Dennis Derige, spokesperson for PM in Cebu, said that “Manpower agencies are exploiting and thereby benefiting from the economic crisis. They are used as an alibi by their principals not to pay separation pay to retrenched workers. We are calling on all agencies workers to organize so they could assert their rights and welfare.”
The agency workers filed a case yesterday against both Sawo and Cebu General Services at the National Labor Relations Commission for illegal dismissal and non-payment of separation pay. Both the agency and regular workers were dismissed from Sawo last April 13 in the wake of a corporate dispute.
The agency workers had demanded from Sawo the same separation pay they gave to regular workers but they were referred instead to the Cebu General Services. Cebu General Services however refuses to give them separation pay since they will allegedly be reassigned though they have remained jobless since their termination from Sawo.
The agency employees argue that there are no more jobs for skilled sauna workers since there is no other sauna factory in Cebu. Sawo is the biggest sauna equipment maker in the whole of Asia.
Derige also assailed the government for its pronouncements on economic recovery and job rehiring. He explained that “We are asking the government to identify which export firms that have retrenched workers have rehired and how workers have reclaimed their jobs. At the grassroots level, we know of no factory inside MEPZ that have rehired their retrenched workers.”
PM is claiming that job rehiring is “another myth from this government of lies.” Derige added that “News of rehiring is a lie no different from the fake low unemployment figures that have been exposed by the recent SWS survey that show joblessness at 34% instead of just 7.7%.”
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Arroyo gov’t accused of hiding real state of unemployment in the country
PRESS RELEASE
14 May 2009
The militant labor party-list group, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), demanded official explanations from the Arroyo government on why there was such a large gap between the official survey results conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on unemployment and the one conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
According to PM chair Renato Magtubo, the very large gap between the 34.2% adult unemployment rate in SWS’ February 2009 survey and the 7.7% unemployment rate in NSO’s January 2009 survey warrants an explanation because such a large difference in representative numbers might lead to the discovery of an awful truth: that government employment statistics do not reveal the truth.
The SWS survey also revealed that compared with previous administrations, the Arroyo administration has the highest adult unemployment rate, from 8.4% in March 2001 to 34.2% in February 2009. The Ramos administration had a 14.6% in September 1993 down to 8.8% in March 1998. The Estrada administration had 10.0% in July 1998 slightly up to 11.5% a month before his downfall in January 2001.
“Based on this SWS record, it is under the Arroyo administration that the country’s unemployment rate is in ‘record-high’ and she was the same President who promised to create 10 million jobs under her term,” recalled Magtubo.
In actual numbers, the SWS survey results showed some 14 million unemployed adult persons (18 years and above) in February compared to only 2.85 million (15 years and above) in NSO’s January survey.
The SWS survey also showed that some 12% (or 1.68 million of the 14 million unemployed) were due to retrenchment or non-renewal of contracts. At the onset of the global financial crisis, the labor group has been raising doubts on the veracity of government’s report on mass layoffs.
“Obviously there are 11 million unemployed Filipinos here who were either out of NSO radars during the survey period or were recorded as employed during that one month difference,” lamented Magtubo who maintains the view that the unemployment figures in the country are being “doctored” or altered to hide the sad state of the economy.
The labor leader argued further that even if the 15-17 age group which is missing in the SWS sample is included, that age bracket can hardly inflate that big difference since the same NSO data showed that for every 10 unemployed persons, 5 or 49.2% belong to the age group 15-24. This means that out of NSO’s 2.85 million total unemployed persons, only 1.4 million belong to age group 15-24.
“Will the government explain this? Were there 11 million Filipinos who where out of coverage during the NSO survey but who were present during the SWS survey a month later. Or there was an official instruction to cover up or hide the real numbers to save someone’s face?,” asked Magtubo.
The former partly-list representative added that the labor movement has been very critical of the government’s methodology in reporting employment statistics as numbers usually do not reflect the actual situation in the real world.
“The government has for several times changed the employment definition which in effect reduced the number of unemployed by more than a million in official statistics since 2005, but not in the actual numbers of Filipinos who are definitely out of work,” concludes Magtubo who agreed with the SWS findings that the country’s unemployment rate were not lower than 20% since 2005.
14 May 2009
The militant labor party-list group, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), demanded official explanations from the Arroyo government on why there was such a large gap between the official survey results conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on unemployment and the one conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
According to PM chair Renato Magtubo, the very large gap between the 34.2% adult unemployment rate in SWS’ February 2009 survey and the 7.7% unemployment rate in NSO’s January 2009 survey warrants an explanation because such a large difference in representative numbers might lead to the discovery of an awful truth: that government employment statistics do not reveal the truth.
The SWS survey also revealed that compared with previous administrations, the Arroyo administration has the highest adult unemployment rate, from 8.4% in March 2001 to 34.2% in February 2009. The Ramos administration had a 14.6% in September 1993 down to 8.8% in March 1998. The Estrada administration had 10.0% in July 1998 slightly up to 11.5% a month before his downfall in January 2001.
“Based on this SWS record, it is under the Arroyo administration that the country’s unemployment rate is in ‘record-high’ and she was the same President who promised to create 10 million jobs under her term,” recalled Magtubo.
In actual numbers, the SWS survey results showed some 14 million unemployed adult persons (18 years and above) in February compared to only 2.85 million (15 years and above) in NSO’s January survey.
The SWS survey also showed that some 12% (or 1.68 million of the 14 million unemployed) were due to retrenchment or non-renewal of contracts. At the onset of the global financial crisis, the labor group has been raising doubts on the veracity of government’s report on mass layoffs.
“Obviously there are 11 million unemployed Filipinos here who were either out of NSO radars during the survey period or were recorded as employed during that one month difference,” lamented Magtubo who maintains the view that the unemployment figures in the country are being “doctored” or altered to hide the sad state of the economy.
The labor leader argued further that even if the 15-17 age group which is missing in the SWS sample is included, that age bracket can hardly inflate that big difference since the same NSO data showed that for every 10 unemployed persons, 5 or 49.2% belong to the age group 15-24. This means that out of NSO’s 2.85 million total unemployed persons, only 1.4 million belong to age group 15-24.
“Will the government explain this? Were there 11 million Filipinos who where out of coverage during the NSO survey but who were present during the SWS survey a month later. Or there was an official instruction to cover up or hide the real numbers to save someone’s face?,” asked Magtubo.
The former partly-list representative added that the labor movement has been very critical of the government’s methodology in reporting employment statistics as numbers usually do not reflect the actual situation in the real world.
“The government has for several times changed the employment definition which in effect reduced the number of unemployed by more than a million in official statistics since 2005, but not in the actual numbers of Filipinos who are definitely out of work,” concludes Magtubo who agreed with the SWS findings that the country’s unemployment rate were not lower than 20% since 2005.
Moratorium on demolitions demanded in wake of Taguig eviction
Press Release
May 14, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
The Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) asked the national government for a moratorium on evictions in the wake of another violent demolition yesterday in Western Bicutan, Taguig. “We ask that an executive order be drafted by Malacanang declaring a moratorium on demolitions and a ban on violent evictions. The least that government can do in the midst of the economic crisis is to refrain from destroying the houses and livelihoods of the poor,” stated Jess Panis, spokesperson of AMP.
The AMP is a network of community organizations in the NCR, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon that has figured in recent urban poor struggles around the housing issue. Last month AMP affiliates in Veraville Subdivision in Barangay Pulang Lupa 2 in Las Pinas and Meliton in Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque fought demolition teams that resulted in injuries and arrests.
“We specifically call on Vice President Noli de Castro as the so-called housing czar to lead in the formulation of the executive order on a moratorium on demolitions. The Urban Housing and Development Act (UDHA) states that no demolition can proceed without relocation provided the urban poor. Honest to goodness negotiations with the community must be conducted for decent relocation. Residents are resisting and fighting evictions because they are being relocated to death zones where there are no livelihood and services,” explained Panis.
The AMP leaders held a dialogue with the HUDCC last April 30 during the Lakbayan or long march launched for the May Day mobilization. A continuation of the dialogue is scheduled on Friday. Among the topics for discussion is the call for a moratorium.
AMP is pushing for a 5-point urban poor agenda in the face of the economic crisis. The 5-point demands are: (1) Moratorium on demolitions and ban on violent evictions. LGU’s should pass ordinances to implement the Commission on Human Rights Resolution (1v) No. A2008-052 recommending a moratorium; (2) Condonation of penalties and interests on low-cost and socialized housing loans. Draft a pro-poor implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 9507 or Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2008; (3) Jobs for the 3 million unemployed. Reform and expand the public employment program; (4) Allot 20% of the land in housing projects for socialized housing as provided for in the UDHA. Thus on-site relocation will be possible and the urban poor need not be relocated to undeveloped areas without services and jobs; and (5) Shift the bulk of the P330 billion fund for the stimulus plan to direct support and social services to the poor instead of infrastructure projects which benefits principally contractors and business.
May 14, 2009
Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino
The Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) asked the national government for a moratorium on evictions in the wake of another violent demolition yesterday in Western Bicutan, Taguig. “We ask that an executive order be drafted by Malacanang declaring a moratorium on demolitions and a ban on violent evictions. The least that government can do in the midst of the economic crisis is to refrain from destroying the houses and livelihoods of the poor,” stated Jess Panis, spokesperson of AMP.
The AMP is a network of community organizations in the NCR, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon that has figured in recent urban poor struggles around the housing issue. Last month AMP affiliates in Veraville Subdivision in Barangay Pulang Lupa 2 in Las Pinas and Meliton in Barangay San Antonio, Paranaque fought demolition teams that resulted in injuries and arrests.
“We specifically call on Vice President Noli de Castro as the so-called housing czar to lead in the formulation of the executive order on a moratorium on demolitions. The Urban Housing and Development Act (UDHA) states that no demolition can proceed without relocation provided the urban poor. Honest to goodness negotiations with the community must be conducted for decent relocation. Residents are resisting and fighting evictions because they are being relocated to death zones where there are no livelihood and services,” explained Panis.
The AMP leaders held a dialogue with the HUDCC last April 30 during the Lakbayan or long march launched for the May Day mobilization. A continuation of the dialogue is scheduled on Friday. Among the topics for discussion is the call for a moratorium.
AMP is pushing for a 5-point urban poor agenda in the face of the economic crisis. The 5-point demands are: (1) Moratorium on demolitions and ban on violent evictions. LGU’s should pass ordinances to implement the Commission on Human Rights Resolution (1v) No. A2008-052 recommending a moratorium; (2) Condonation of penalties and interests on low-cost and socialized housing loans. Draft a pro-poor implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for Republic Act 9507 or Socialized and Low-Cost Housing Loan Restructuring Act of 2008; (3) Jobs for the 3 million unemployed. Reform and expand the public employment program; (4) Allot 20% of the land in housing projects for socialized housing as provided for in the UDHA. Thus on-site relocation will be possible and the urban poor need not be relocated to undeveloped areas without services and jobs; and (5) Shift the bulk of the P330 billion fund for the stimulus plan to direct support and social services to the poor instead of infrastructure projects which benefits principally contractors and business.
Monday, May 11, 2009
MEPZ workers go on work stoppage in protest at grievances
Press Release
May 8, 2009
An overwhelming majority of workers at a lamp shade factory inside the Mactan Export Zone went on a work stoppage early this morning in protest at various grievances of regular and agency workers. Some 200 workers downed their tools and trooped to the office of the management of Paul Yu, a locator in MEPZ II producing lamp shades for the export and local market, to seek a dialogue for redress of their grievances.
At the moment, management has agreed to talk to the workers about their grievances and PEZA officials will oversee the dialogue. Willy Dondoyano, speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, said that “We will not return to work until management meets the demands of the workers.”
After punching in their time cards at 8 a.m. today, the Paul Yu workers assembled and went to the management office to negotiate the company’s response to their complaints. The main grievance of the workers is the work rotation that was implemented since December despite the fact that 40% of production is outsourced to contractors outside the factory. The workweek of regular and agency workers at Paul Yu has been reduced by half while job contracting has not stopped.
“Paul Yu is another case of a capitalist using the global crisis as an excuse to demolish workers rights and undercut labor standards. Workers are refusing to pay the price of a crisis that is not of their making. We salute the unity of regular and agency workers at Paul Yu, and their fight for labor rights,” stated Dennis Derige of Partido ng Manggagawa in Cebu.
Agency workers are also up in arms at the labor contractualization at Paul Yu. Many agency employees have worked for several years, some as long as five years, yet they remain irregulars whose contracts are renewed continuously every two months. Workers are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.
Management has plans to change the name of the company and relocate the factory to Carmen, a town in the far north of the Cebu. However workers are resisting the relocation since it will to their dislocation.
May 8, 2009
An overwhelming majority of workers at a lamp shade factory inside the Mactan Export Zone went on a work stoppage early this morning in protest at various grievances of regular and agency workers. Some 200 workers downed their tools and trooped to the office of the management of Paul Yu, a locator in MEPZ II producing lamp shades for the export and local market, to seek a dialogue for redress of their grievances.
At the moment, management has agreed to talk to the workers about their grievances and PEZA officials will oversee the dialogue. Willy Dondoyano, speaking on behalf of the protesting workers, said that “We will not return to work until management meets the demands of the workers.”
After punching in their time cards at 8 a.m. today, the Paul Yu workers assembled and went to the management office to negotiate the company’s response to their complaints. The main grievance of the workers is the work rotation that was implemented since December despite the fact that 40% of production is outsourced to contractors outside the factory. The workweek of regular and agency workers at Paul Yu has been reduced by half while job contracting has not stopped.
“Paul Yu is another case of a capitalist using the global crisis as an excuse to demolish workers rights and undercut labor standards. Workers are refusing to pay the price of a crisis that is not of their making. We salute the unity of regular and agency workers at Paul Yu, and their fight for labor rights,” stated Dennis Derige of Partido ng Manggagawa in Cebu.
Agency workers are also up in arms at the labor contractualization at Paul Yu. Many agency employees have worked for several years, some as long as five years, yet they remain irregulars whose contracts are renewed continuously every two months. Workers are also complaining of non-payment of holiday pay, non-remittance of SSS deductions for agency workers, non-implementation of paternity leave and non-payment of break time.
Management has plans to change the name of the company and relocate the factory to Carmen, a town in the far north of the Cebu. However workers are resisting the relocation since it will to their dislocation.
Militant workers slam shipyard management for “blackmail and sabotage”
Press Release
May 8, 2009
The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) today lambasted the management of Keppel Phils. for implementing a two-day workweek in order to force its workers to agree to its redundancy offer. A labor dispute has been festering in the Keppel shipyard since March with workers alleging management is out to bust the union Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Baradero (NMB) Keppel Shipyard-National Federation of Labor (NFL).
“In the one month since an agreement was forged last April 8 between management and the union, Keppel has consistently tried to sabotage the settlement by blackmailing the workers into submitting to the redundancy plan by shortening the workweek. At the height of the dispute in March, Keppel workers were working just three days in a week. Now it is just two days in a week thus workers’ take home pay has been reduced to a third,” explained Dennis Derige, spokesperson of PM in Cebu.
PM is arguing that Keppel’s reduction in workdays is tantamount to a violation of the April 8 agreement. Section 3 of the agreement stipulates that neither side will engage in actions that will exacerbate the situation.
Derige answered management’s alibi that theirs is no work to be done. “The ship repair business was strong but they shifted to ship building thus forcing former clients to smaller shipyards in Cebu. Why then did they go into ship building when there is no marker for it? It only makes business sense because management wants to bust the union and replace regular workers with cheap and docile contractual labor,” he insisted.
Derige added that “Keppel is trying to starve the workers so they will agree to surrender their rights. We warn management that their blackmail will not work. Keppel workers are not alone. The labor movement will support Keppel workers in their fight.”
PM also criticized the DOLE for lying about the real status of the labor situation. “For several weeks the DOLE has kept on repeating the marketing line that companies are rehiring and layoffs are ebbing. But the unresolved dispute at Keppel and other struggles at MEPZ belie the DOLE’s propaganda,” Derige stated.
The Keppel union still has a pending notice of strike that it has not withdrawn. Since a majority of the work force has voted for the strike, the union can go on strike at any moment.
May 8, 2009
The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) today lambasted the management of Keppel Phils. for implementing a two-day workweek in order to force its workers to agree to its redundancy offer. A labor dispute has been festering in the Keppel shipyard since March with workers alleging management is out to bust the union Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Baradero (NMB) Keppel Shipyard-National Federation of Labor (NFL).
“In the one month since an agreement was forged last April 8 between management and the union, Keppel has consistently tried to sabotage the settlement by blackmailing the workers into submitting to the redundancy plan by shortening the workweek. At the height of the dispute in March, Keppel workers were working just three days in a week. Now it is just two days in a week thus workers’ take home pay has been reduced to a third,” explained Dennis Derige, spokesperson of PM in Cebu.
PM is arguing that Keppel’s reduction in workdays is tantamount to a violation of the April 8 agreement. Section 3 of the agreement stipulates that neither side will engage in actions that will exacerbate the situation.
Derige answered management’s alibi that theirs is no work to be done. “The ship repair business was strong but they shifted to ship building thus forcing former clients to smaller shipyards in Cebu. Why then did they go into ship building when there is no marker for it? It only makes business sense because management wants to bust the union and replace regular workers with cheap and docile contractual labor,” he insisted.
Derige added that “Keppel is trying to starve the workers so they will agree to surrender their rights. We warn management that their blackmail will not work. Keppel workers are not alone. The labor movement will support Keppel workers in their fight.”
PM also criticized the DOLE for lying about the real status of the labor situation. “For several weeks the DOLE has kept on repeating the marketing line that companies are rehiring and layoffs are ebbing. But the unresolved dispute at Keppel and other struggles at MEPZ belie the DOLE’s propaganda,” Derige stated.
The Keppel union still has a pending notice of strike that it has not withdrawn. Since a majority of the work force has voted for the strike, the union can go on strike at any moment.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Labor Party calls for policy and social change not charter change; Labor unity, Church support marks May 1 commemoration
Press Release
May 1, 2009
The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) led more than 1,000 workers and poor, many of them displaced employees, in a Labor Day mobilization that called for policy and social change instead of charter change. “Workers want a reversal in the policies that have aggravated the crisis and change in the rotten system that keeps the people in poverty. We oppose the proposed charter change which has the not-so-hidden agenda of perpetuating the regime in power,” explained Renato Magtubo, chairperson of PM.
The May Day activities started yesterday with a Lakbayan launched by PM that held a dialogue first with HUDCC officials on the demand for moratorium on demolitions and later with Labor Secretary Roque on the call for a workers bailout. The Lakbayan participants spent the night at the Malate Church.
Together with the Roman Catholic Church Archdiocesan Ministry for Labor Concerns (AMLC), a “Misa para sa Manggagawa” was held this morning that was officiated by Bishop Teodoro Bacani. The Lakbayan ended by merging with the Labor Unity rally at Liwasang Bonifacio at 11 a.m that later proceeded to Mendiola. “Labor unity and Church support marks this year’s celebration of May Day in recognition of the fact that we need a strong movement to respond to the attempt of capitalists to make the workers pay for the crisis,” Magtubo asserted.
PM called the job fairs organized by government as a “bandaid solution.” Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general, argued that “Job mismatch is not the problem and job fairs are not the solution. The real cause of unemployment is economy mismatch, meaning the government implemented the failed model of globalization on the economy which has resulted in the collapse of local industry and agriculture.” She added that “The solution to economy mismatch is reorientation away from export promotion and overseas employment towards strengthening the domestic economy by building up local industry and agriculture that will provide decent work to millions of Filipinos.”
The group also declared that wage increases cannot be set aside even as workers prioritize the problem of employment. Miranda stated that “This proposal is another illustration of the vicious attempt by capitalists to exploit the crisis. At the root of the global recession is the problem of global underconsumption. There is a lack of demand for the commodities produced worldwide due to two decades of a global race to the bottom in wages and working conditions. Thus shortchanging the workers in the midst of the crisis will aggravate instead of mitigate the effects of the global recession.”
The Lakbayan is just part of the nationwide commemoration sponsored by PM. Marches, caravans and fora marked the Labor Day activities of PM in Cebu City, Bacolod City, Iloilo city, Davao City, General Santos City, Iligan City and Dipolog City.
May 1, 2009
The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) led more than 1,000 workers and poor, many of them displaced employees, in a Labor Day mobilization that called for policy and social change instead of charter change. “Workers want a reversal in the policies that have aggravated the crisis and change in the rotten system that keeps the people in poverty. We oppose the proposed charter change which has the not-so-hidden agenda of perpetuating the regime in power,” explained Renato Magtubo, chairperson of PM.
The May Day activities started yesterday with a Lakbayan launched by PM that held a dialogue first with HUDCC officials on the demand for moratorium on demolitions and later with Labor Secretary Roque on the call for a workers bailout. The Lakbayan participants spent the night at the Malate Church.
Together with the Roman Catholic Church Archdiocesan Ministry for Labor Concerns (AMLC), a “Misa para sa Manggagawa” was held this morning that was officiated by Bishop Teodoro Bacani. The Lakbayan ended by merging with the Labor Unity rally at Liwasang Bonifacio at 11 a.m that later proceeded to Mendiola. “Labor unity and Church support marks this year’s celebration of May Day in recognition of the fact that we need a strong movement to respond to the attempt of capitalists to make the workers pay for the crisis,” Magtubo asserted.
PM called the job fairs organized by government as a “bandaid solution.” Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general, argued that “Job mismatch is not the problem and job fairs are not the solution. The real cause of unemployment is economy mismatch, meaning the government implemented the failed model of globalization on the economy which has resulted in the collapse of local industry and agriculture.” She added that “The solution to economy mismatch is reorientation away from export promotion and overseas employment towards strengthening the domestic economy by building up local industry and agriculture that will provide decent work to millions of Filipinos.”
The group also declared that wage increases cannot be set aside even as workers prioritize the problem of employment. Miranda stated that “This proposal is another illustration of the vicious attempt by capitalists to exploit the crisis. At the root of the global recession is the problem of global underconsumption. There is a lack of demand for the commodities produced worldwide due to two decades of a global race to the bottom in wages and working conditions. Thus shortchanging the workers in the midst of the crisis will aggravate instead of mitigate the effects of the global recession.”
The Lakbayan is just part of the nationwide commemoration sponsored by PM. Marches, caravans and fora marked the Labor Day activities of PM in Cebu City, Bacolod City, Iloilo city, Davao City, General Santos City, Iligan City and Dipolog City.
Simbahan nag-alay ng misa para sa manggagawa, martsa patungong Mendiola nagsimula na
Press Release
Mayo 1, 2009
Isang Misa ang inialay sa manggagawa ngayong umaga bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon ng Araw ng Paggawa. Pinangunahan ito ni Bishop Teodoro Bacani at ginanap sa simbahan ng Our Lady of Remedies (Malate Church) kung saan nagpalipas ng gabi ang mga lumahok sa Lakbayan ng Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
Binasa sa naturang misa ang isang pastoral statement mula kay Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. Ang Misa para sa Manggagawa ay iniaalay ng Archdiocesan Ministry for Labor Concerns (AMLC) at ng Church Labor Conference para sa mga manggagawa at maralitang hinahagupit ngayon ng krisis.
Ayon kay Renato Magtubo, tagapangulo ng Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), sa nakalipas na mga araw ay nagkaroon ng dayalogo ang mga lider manggagawa at maralita kay Cardinal Rosales upang hingin ang suporta ng simbahan para sa kampanya para sa proteksyon sa trabaho, paninirahan at kagalingan ng mga manggagawa at maralita.
Positibo umano ang naging resulta ng dayalogo dahil nangako ang simbahan na magiging kaagapay ng manggagawa ang simbahan para makamit ang konkretong mga kahilingan. Mula dito ay pormal na nabuo nitong nakaraang Lunes ang tinatawag na Church Labor Conference.
Isinusulong ng Church Labor Conference ang mga kagyat na kahilingan para sa proteksyon. Tampok dito ang unemployment subsidy para sa mga biktima ng layoff; rebersal ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa kaso ng Dusit Hotel; universal healthcare para sa mga biktima ng tanggalan at sa mga unemployed; reporma at ekspansyon sa programang patrabaho ng gubyerno; moratorium sa demolisyon; at moratorium sa tuition fee increase at iba pang mga bayarin.
Matapos ang misa sa Malate Church, nagsimulang magmartsa ang mga manggagawa at maralita patungong Liwasang Bonifacio upang sumanib sa iba pang grupo sa ilalim ng Alyansa ng Manggagawa, Maralita at Magsasaka para sa Proteksyon at Pagbabago, o AM3. Inaasahang di bababa sa 10,000 katao ang makikilahok sa nasabing rali at martsa patungong tulay ng Mendiola. Sasabay din sa mga pagkilos ngayong araw ang mga tsapter ng PM sa Cebu, Bacolod, Ilo-ilo, Davao, GenSan, Iligan, at Dipolog.
Ayon pa kay Magtubo, ang hinahangad ng mga manggagawa ay pagbabago sa mga patakarang pang-ekonomiya na nagpapahirap sa masang Pilipino tulad ng liberalisasyon, deregulasyon, at pribatisasyon.
Ibang-iba umano ito sa isinusulong na cha-cha ng pamahalaang Arroyo na ang layunin ay proteksyunan ang kapangyarihan ng mga nasa poder at higit pang palayain ang pandarambong ng dayuhang kapital sa bansa.
Mayo 1, 2009
Isang Misa ang inialay sa manggagawa ngayong umaga bilang bahagi ng selebrasyon ng Araw ng Paggawa. Pinangunahan ito ni Bishop Teodoro Bacani at ginanap sa simbahan ng Our Lady of Remedies (Malate Church) kung saan nagpalipas ng gabi ang mga lumahok sa Lakbayan ng Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).
Binasa sa naturang misa ang isang pastoral statement mula kay Manila Archbishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales. Ang Misa para sa Manggagawa ay iniaalay ng Archdiocesan Ministry for Labor Concerns (AMLC) at ng Church Labor Conference para sa mga manggagawa at maralitang hinahagupit ngayon ng krisis.
Ayon kay Renato Magtubo, tagapangulo ng Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), sa nakalipas na mga araw ay nagkaroon ng dayalogo ang mga lider manggagawa at maralita kay Cardinal Rosales upang hingin ang suporta ng simbahan para sa kampanya para sa proteksyon sa trabaho, paninirahan at kagalingan ng mga manggagawa at maralita.
Positibo umano ang naging resulta ng dayalogo dahil nangako ang simbahan na magiging kaagapay ng manggagawa ang simbahan para makamit ang konkretong mga kahilingan. Mula dito ay pormal na nabuo nitong nakaraang Lunes ang tinatawag na Church Labor Conference.
Isinusulong ng Church Labor Conference ang mga kagyat na kahilingan para sa proteksyon. Tampok dito ang unemployment subsidy para sa mga biktima ng layoff; rebersal ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa kaso ng Dusit Hotel; universal healthcare para sa mga biktima ng tanggalan at sa mga unemployed; reporma at ekspansyon sa programang patrabaho ng gubyerno; moratorium sa demolisyon; at moratorium sa tuition fee increase at iba pang mga bayarin.
Matapos ang misa sa Malate Church, nagsimulang magmartsa ang mga manggagawa at maralita patungong Liwasang Bonifacio upang sumanib sa iba pang grupo sa ilalim ng Alyansa ng Manggagawa, Maralita at Magsasaka para sa Proteksyon at Pagbabago, o AM3. Inaasahang di bababa sa 10,000 katao ang makikilahok sa nasabing rali at martsa patungong tulay ng Mendiola. Sasabay din sa mga pagkilos ngayong araw ang mga tsapter ng PM sa Cebu, Bacolod, Ilo-ilo, Davao, GenSan, Iligan, at Dipolog.
Ayon pa kay Magtubo, ang hinahangad ng mga manggagawa ay pagbabago sa mga patakarang pang-ekonomiya na nagpapahirap sa masang Pilipino tulad ng liberalisasyon, deregulasyon, at pribatisasyon.
Ibang-iba umano ito sa isinusulong na cha-cha ng pamahalaang Arroyo na ang layunin ay proteksyunan ang kapangyarihan ng mga nasa poder at higit pang palayain ang pandarambong ng dayuhang kapital sa bansa.
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