Militants back East Timor demand for fair maritime border in protest at Australian embassy today

As part of an internationally coordinated series of protest actions, militants rallied at the Australian embassy today to demand that Australia establish a fair maritime border according to UNCLOS and international law. Similar to the dispute over the West Philippine Sea, East Timor is contesting claims by Australia on the oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea.PR0112

Members of Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines) and Philippine Airlines Employees Association-International Transport Workers Federation held a solidarity action at the Australian embassy in Makati today to signify support for the just demand of East Timor. The protesters shouted “Australia: Don't be a bully in the Timor Sea like China in the West Philippine Sea!”

Similar actions at Australian embassies or Australian government bodies are slated in East Timor, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the US from March 22 to 24.

Just before East Timor gained independence as a country, Australia withdrew from the UNCLOS and thus there has been no maritime border fixed between the two countries except for provisional arrangements dictated by the latter.

At stake in the dispute is control over oil and resources which are currently exploited by Australia but which will lie within East Timor’s jurisdiction as per UNCLOS. East Timor demands control over the resources so it can be used for their national development.

            Among the slogans highlighted in today’s protest are:

 Hands off East Timor's oil!

 Australia: Median line now!

 Australia: Heed international law, Draw maritime border with East Timor!

 Australia: Be fair and just, Draw maritime border with East Timor!

March 22, 2016

Partylist calls for BPO’s to put mandatory bond for workers claims as another call center illegally closes in Cebu:

Eziconnect wokers face off with their manager at DOLE-7 mediation meeting

The labor partylist group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on the government to require BPO companies companies to put up a bond that will be used to pay workers claims as another call center illegally shuts down in Cebu. Eziconnect Philippines Inc. of Mandaue City closed abruptly last December 21 leaving its 30 employees jobless this christmas season with unpaid salaries and separation pay.

“Unfortunately Ebenezer Scrooge is alive and he is an Australian. The irresponsible owners of Eziconnect have stolen christmas from their hardworking workers,” declared Rene Magtubo, PM chair and one of its partylist bets. Eziconnect is owned by Australian Rodney Kafer, a former rugby player and present Fox Sports commentator.

According to the group Inter-Call Center Association of Workers (ICCAW), which is assisting the Eziconnect workers together with PM, this latest illegal closure is the fifth in the last four years that it has encountered.

A day after the closure, Eziconnect workers filed a complaint at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 7 office. Yesterday a meeting was called by DOLE-7 where the workers faced off with their Filipino manager. The Eziconnect workers are demanding one month of unpaid salaries, 13^th month pay, separation benefits and financial assistance.

Gerard Escobido, one of the Eziconnect employees, said that “We had loyally worked for the company for the last several years and we feel betrayed that its owners, Kafer among others, would run away from its obligations to us.”

Magtubo called on the government to require BPO's to put up a bond equivalent to two months salaries of all workers they intend to hire which will be used to defray wages, benefits and separation pay in case of sudden or illegal closure.

ICCAW and PM had earlier helped workers of call centers Direct Access, Cordia, Leadamorphosis and Blue Connect, all based in Cebu, in their fight for unpaid money claims. In all cases, workers had won awards or settlement.

When Direct Access illegally shutdown in 2012, its workers fought to get their separation pay and were also granted employment in a new call center. ICCAW was formed as a result of the pioneering fight of Direct Access workers. Meanwhile in the case of Leadamorphosis, workers won a P36 million award two years ago.

“The BPO is sunshine industry according to the government but it must do more to ensure workers rights and welfare are protected. Since it is a profitable dollar earning industry, employers must provide its workers with above average wages and benefits,” argued Magtubo.

December 24, 2015