End endo jobs and political dynasties—workers’ Christmas wishes

 

In the Bonifacio Day rally yesterday across the country, workers aired their grievances as well as holiday wishes. “All we want for Christmas are an end to endo jobs and political dynasties, P150 wage hike and the enactment of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) bill,” demanded Judy Miranda, secretary general of the militant group Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

Amid intense political infighting between the camps of President Bong Bong Marcos Jr. and Vice Sara Duterte, PM stated that workers choose no sides and will not join any “fake people power.” “The House of Labor does not support either the House of Polvoron or House of Fentanyl, both of which are merely interested in retaining political power for its own sake. In contrast, the House of Labor demands social justice and social change,” explained Miranda.

 

Members of PM joined the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition mobilization that assembled in front of Ramon Magsaysay High School in Espana, Manila this morning. The workers then marched to Mendiola at about 9 AM for a program that lasted until 12 noon.

 

PM also held rallies in Cebu City and Bacolod City. In Cebu, PM members marched around the city and held a program at Metro Gaisano in Colon St. In Bacolod, farm workers and women’s groups affiliated to PM launched an indoor gathering and later a march to the public plaza.

 

The nationwide commemoration of Bonifacio Day by PM and Nagkaisa raised the call for ending endo jobs, low wages, political dynasties and teenage pregnancy. “The dominance of political dynasties is a key factor in the mass poverty and economic underdevelopment of the country. In the coming 2025 elections, we see the perverse evolution of fat dynasties into obese ones and the almost total capture of the partylist system—which was meant for representation by workers and other marginalized sectors—by power-hungry trapos. I-endo ang dynasties ng mga trapo hindi ang trabaho!” asserted Miranda.

 

She added that “If Bonifacio were alive today, he would lead the Katipunan in a fight to end political dynasties as a pathway for true independence and real development.” Miranda pointed to stark contrast between the inaction of the House of Representatives on the P150 wage hike bill and its fixation on Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war and Sara Duterte’s confidential funds. “Of course, we want Digong to be held accountable for the murder of alleged drug users and Inday Sara for her plunder of people’s money. But we know that Congress is motivated by factional infighting not good governance. And that is why Congress is deadma to proposed reforms favorable to workers,” Miranda elaborated.

 

Other demands highlighted by PM in the Bonifacio Day commemoration is the passage of the PAP bill, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives. “We are calling on the Senate to pass its version of the PAP bill so that the youth can enjoy the holidays and not be burdened by teenage pregnancy,” Miranda concluded. ###

 

Photos of the Bonifacio Day rally can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa

Workers demand rights and freedom, end to wars on Bonifacio Day

 

 

Despite the government's decision to move Bonifacio Day to November 27, labor groups, led by the Nagkaisa labor coalition, pressed forward with their march this morning, November 30, alongside organizations in the No to War network.

 

Amidst the intensifying cost of living crisis, the coalition declared at the Mendiola rally that workers would never enjoy the government's holiday economics.

 

Nagkaisa pointed out that, despite adjustments in daily minimum in various regions, wages still lag significantly behind the rising cost of living. Likewise, the erosion of workers' rights, including the freedom to form unions and security of tenure, remains a critical concern.

 

Emphasizing the legacy of Andres Bonifacio, Nagkaisa highlighted that the fight for freedom from colonial rule was intertwined with the pursuit of a dignified life for all Filipinos. However, the coalition lamented that post-colonial republics failed to secure genuine sovereignty, and the freedom from poverty remains elusive.

 

The coalition called for a redirection of government priorities to address these pressing concerns rather than engaging in war preparations or supporting the political agenda of the same colonial powers who were behind many of these conflicts.

 

The coalition red flags the potentially irreversible consequences of forging additional military agreements beyond the existing pacts with the US, particularly with Japan, and the looming possibility of similar arrangements with the UK, France, and Australia - all using China as the boogeyman - for they will only heighten the tensions in the region.

 

Nagkaisa warned against the devastating impact of new wars, citing the peoples suffering, exemplified by the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Expressing solidarity with war victims globally, Nagkaisa urged unity in calling for an end to all conflicts. Specifically addressing the Israel-Palestine situation, the coalition demanded a permanent ceasefire and an end to what they termed as Israel's campaign of genocide in Gaza.

 

While acknowledging the complexity of this age-old conflict, Nagkaisa believes a ceasefire could pave the way for de-escalation and create spaces for diplomatic negotiations.

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

30 November 2023

 

Kapayapaan Hindi Digmaan! – Network Opposed to War (No to War) Bonifacio Day 2023 Statement

 

The Filipino people have a long and storied history of resistance against oppression. From the Spanish, Americans, the Japanese, and current injustices, Filipinos continue to march, protest, and organize. It is in this spirit that we mass movements and people’s organizations mobilize today. Learning from the example of Andres Bonifacio, we aspire for a Philippines built on freedom, peace, and common prosperity.

 

The Network Opposed to War (No to War), as a grouping of people’s organizations, mass movements, and trade unions, is in the streets today as we celebrate the birthday of Andres Bonifacio. Inspired by the life and struggle of the Supremo, we mobilize today for a society free from violence and oppression. Like the Katipuneros before us, we see that the dream of justice and equality is a desire we Filipinos share with peoples all over the world. From Manila to Gaza, Burma and Kiev, the dream of peace built on justice continues to animate millions.

 

We are adamant in our opposition to all forms of war. It is clear that in times of conflict, it is workers and ordinary people that are harmed and sacrificed. History shows us that while working people bleed, the rich and powerful benefit from war. We have no illusions. Wars today are for the benefit of corporations and the elites that profit from bloodshed.

 

For the Network Opposed to War, it is impossible to address the root causes of poverty and injustice in times of conflict. Rather than being the solution to problems of development, wars instead intensify existing inequalities. As is the experience of women globally, militarization leads to lasting scars not only on the body, but on the psyche as well. For the vast majority that struggle with poverty and precariousness, it is obvious that war is not for our interests.

 

We join all progressive organizations and mobilizations today that stand against poverty and militarism. Peace is the foundation of truly just and prosperous societies. We express our desire to build peace, not cultures and industries for war.

End to wars and poverty highlight workers’ Bonifacio Day protest

 

In the wake of the devastating consequences witnessed in conflicts such as the ongoing disputes between Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Russia, Syria, and numerous other smaller conflicts worldwide, the Partido Manggagawa (PM) issues a stern warning: "It is imperative to stop these wars so that focus is redirected to more immediate and pressing concerns faced by the world’s people, particularly the urgent battles against poverty, inequality, and the climate crisis," ," stated Partido Manggagawa Chair Renato Magtubo.

 

Joining the Mendiola rally organized by Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and the Network Opposed to War (No to War) on Bonifacio Day, PM emphasizes the need for secure jobs and increased wages to combat the ripple effects of unemployment and the rising cost of living. In Cebu, a counter march from Plaza Independencia to Colon St., was held by the same groups, including the Cebu chapter of PM.

 

“However, the realization of these aspirations, echoing the Katipunan dreams of ‘kalayaan at kaginhawahan’ remains elusive 160 years after the birth of Gat Andres Bonifacio. This persistence is attributed to anti-worker economic policies, such as cheap labor, endo, and privatization, coupled with the enduring structural flaws of ilustrado governance in the form of trapo politics,” said Magtubo.

 

Addressing the potential outbreak of new conflicts, Magtubo expresses concern over increasing tensions between global superpowers vying for hegemony and expansionism, as highlighted in the analysis of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. The labor group emphasizes the devastating impact on working people, drawing parallels with historical events like the two world wars, scores of civil wars, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine due to Israel's campaign of siege and genocide.

 

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, PM aligns with the Philippines' No to War network, advocating for a permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza. The coalition posits that colonial powers, reminiscent of Bonifacio's era and the Katipunan, persist in maintaining control and exploiting weaker nations through militarism, occupation, and wars.

"The unfinished revolution for complete freedom from colonial powers and the emancipation of the Filipino people from poverty remains the legacy of the Katipunan—a cause we will persistently pursue," concluded Magtubo. 

Partido Manggagawa

30 November 2023

 

Nagkaisa celebrates Bonifacio Day in ‘Blank Paper’ protest

 

A popular protest symbol against the zero covid policy and censorship in China found its way into the Philippines during the workers’ celebration of Andres Bonifacio’s 159th birthday.

 

The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition said the ‘Blank Paper’ protest is the Filipino workers’ adaptation of the symbolic protest to press for a Labor Agenda that the group finds sorely lacking in the Marcos administration.

 

“Bonifacio Day is always a day of protest for Filipino workers, but today is the first time that most of our placards bear no slogans. It is because the blank papers themselves convey the message that a labor agenda remains blank or missing under this new administration,” said Nagkaisa Chairman and Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula.

 

Nagkaisa staged the ‘Blank Paper’ and ‘die-in’ protest at Liwasang Bonifacio before joining the United Labor together with Kilusang Mayo Uno and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino in a march to Mendiola.

 

Matula said workers want a Labor Agenda as a basis for continuing engagements with the government as the lack of it implies disregard if not outright neglect of labor in the face of soaring prices, deteriorating quality of jobs, and chronic unemployment problems, among others.

 

“Our proposed Labor Agenda embodies the workers’ most urgent concerns as well as reforms in labor policies to decisively address poverty, inequality, and injustice in the country,” stressed Matula.

 

The Nagkaisa Labor Agenda includes demands for a wage hike, public employment program, labor rights and an end to contractualization, affordable and quality public services, and mechanisms for a continuing policy dialogue on structural reforms.

 

Reiterating their call for a P100 wage hike, Partido Manggagawa Chair Renato Magtubo, stated: “The amount is merely to recover wages lost to inflation. It’s a relief for a minimum wage that remains at starvation level but still way too far from achieving living wages and improvements in workers’ standard of living as provided under the Constitution.”

 

On his part, Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) Secretary General Josua Mata, attributed the prevailing regime of low wages to the unresolved problems of unemployment and contractualization.

 

“Contractualization, both in the private and public sector, significantly weakens the exercise of other labor rights such as freedom of association and collective bargaining, thus, keeping the life of ‘endo’ workers to the barest minimum,” explained Mata.

 

He added that without a robust public employment program in key sectors of the economy, including in climate and environment, the army of unemployed will just continue to crowd the market of cheap labor. 

 

Moreover, inadequacy and high cost of services aggravates this problem, said Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) leader Jillian Roque, who also warned that the Marcos administration’s massive rightsizing plan would only lead to further deterioration of public services.

 

In protecting labor rights, Nagkaisa demands a solid renunciation of the previous administration’s policy on extra-judicial killings, the scrapping of anti-union laws as well as the abolition of anti-union bodies involved in red-tagging like the NTF-ELCAC and the Joint Industrial Peace and Concern Office (JIPCO).

 

The coalition is likewise campaigning for the ratification and effective implementation of ILO Convention 190 to protect women from violence and harassment in the workplace.

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition

30 November 2022

Onward with Bonifacio’s Struggle for Freedom and “Kaginhawaan”

Bonifacio will always be relevant. At every juncture and for every generation, Bonifacio’s struggle for national independence and social justice will be reinterpreted by workers and the youth to understand the challenges of the situation.

 

Today, the Filipino people are caught between a new cold war between China and the US in the Pacific, and on a global scale between Western powers and rivals such as Russia and China. Filipino workers and youth must navigate a path of peace and independence from these geopolitical rivalries. Workers and the youth refuse to be the cannon fodder in the hot and cold wars of stronger countries.

 

Aside from the relevance of Bonifacio’s fight for independent development, his advocacy for social justice and “kaginhawaan” continues to ring true in the face of the consolidation of the authoritarian turn and growing inequality. The Philippines has one of the most unequal societies in Asia as revealed in a recent World Banks study. This inequality can only worsen as workers’ civil liberties and political rights are curtailed under a Marcos regime.

 

The struggle for freedom and “kaginhawaan” forms an integral whole as revealed in the current authoritarian regime of Marcos which has no program for workers. Thus, the advocacy for a labor agenda combining the demands for wages, jobs, rights and services intersects with the campaign to defend human rights and civil liberties.

 

We vow to pursue Bonifacio’s struggle under new conditions. Workers fight for wage hikes, secure jobs and labor rights to defend their living conditions. Further, workers resist the shrinking of the democratic space that denies them the ability to advance its advocacies for social justice and “kaginhawaan.”

Partido Manggagawa

30 November 2022

NAGKAISA to hold ‘Blank Paper’ Protest on Bonifacio Day

MEDIA ADVISORY

NAGKAISA Labor Coalition

30 November 2022

Contact:

Julius Cainglet 09178553279

Judy Miranda 09175570777

NAGKAISA to hold ‘Blank Paper’ Protest on Bonifacio Day

To highlight Marcos Jr.’s blank labor agenda

 

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition is holding a ‘Blank Paper’ protest today, November 30, in commemoration of Andres Bonifacio’s 159th birthday. The aim is to press for a Labor Agenda that remains blank or absent in the Marcos administration.

WHEN: November 30, 2022

WHERE: Liwasang Bonifacio

TIME: 9:00 AM

 

The Labor Agenda includes demands for a wage hike, labor rights and an end to contractualization; affordable and quality public services; and mechanisms for a continuing policy dialogue on structural reforms.

 

The ‘Blank Paper’ protest is an adaptation of a popular protest symbol in China against the ‘zero covid’ policy and censorship. 

 

NAGKAISA is leading nationwide protests with workers' mobilizations in Cebu and Bacolod, and an indoor activity in Iloilo.  

 

NAGKAISA shall afterwards join the broad labor under United Labor together with Kilusang Mayo Uno and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino in a march to Mendiola.

 

Photo opportunity:

 

Nagkaisa members holding blank papers in a ‘die-in’ protest. Posters and banners with specific demands are also available for photo ops.

Media Advisory: ALL4Leni Bonifacio Day Activities

ALL4Leni Bonifacio Day Activities

Laban ng Manggagawa, Laban ni LenI! Sahod Itaas, Presyo Ibaba, End Endo!

Contact: Judy Ann Miranda @ 09228677522

NCR

6am Kagulong BONI Ride

Assembly at People Power Monument

Route: EDSA- Bonifacio Monument Kalookan – CHR Quezon City

8am ALL4Leni Assembly UP PhilCOA

9am March to CHR

930 am Program at Liwasang Diokno CHR Compound/Commonwealth Ave

Labor Agenda Covenant Signing with ALL4Leni Endorsed Senatorial Slate Atty. Sonny Matula, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Atty. Chel Diokno & Rep Sen Leila - Atty. Rolly Francis Peoro

Video messages Senator Trillanes, Cong. Teddy Baguilat

Photo op: "Punitin ang Sedula" Printed faces of Duterte - Marcos

Batangas

8am Lipa Program and motorcade to Laguna

Cebu  

6am BONI Ride of Mactan Export Processing Zone Workers  within Metro Cebu

Assembly at CICC Mandaue

7am.Launching of Talisay4Leni :Mass at St. Scholastica Academy, Lagtang Talisay followed by 8am Caravan

Simultaneous Community March ALL4Leni members at Urban Poor and Fisherfolk communities at San Roque  Tangke, Talisay City

Bacolod, Negros

1pm Negros Workers Day  Acacia Hotel Bacolod

330pm March to Bishop Fortich Monument/Pope John Paul Tower along Rizal St. Extension, Reclamation Bacolod

Iloilo

Picket Rally San Andres Bonifacio Monument at Barangay Tanza Iloilo

Romblon

3pm Motorcade Odiongan San Andres Romblon followed by Lugawan

Davao

6am Zumba with distribution of Pandesal, Coffee and Lugaw by Davao Para Kay Leni

7am Bonifacio Day Rally Freedom Park

830am CarMov Davao City wide

General Santos

630am Bonifacio Day Rally

Assembly Petron Santiago

Route: Santiago-P. Acharon Boulevard- Pioneer Avenue going to Plaza Heneral Santos

10am Program and Lugawan

Copy of covenant between VP Leni Robredo and labor alliance ALL4Leni

 

Media Advisory: Covenant signing between VP Robredo & labor groups today

 Media Advisory

The Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni Robredo (ALL4Leni) invites members of the press to the “Laban ng Manggagawa, Laban ni Leni” Workers General Assembly, on Nov. 29, 2021, 9:00am - 12:00nn, via Zoom. Members of the press would be admitted by 9:30am. 

Highlighting the event is the signing of the COVENANT VISION OF A ROBREDO PRESIDENCY between ALL4Leni and Vice President Leni Robredo on the joint commitment to pursue the Labor Agenda at 9:45am - 10:30am. There will be an Open Forum at 10:30 AM - 12 PM.

VP Leni Robredo and 

Atty. Matula, Defender ng Manggagawa, senatorial aspirant, will lead other Convenors of ALL4Leni at the COVENANT signing. 

Please register in advance using this link: https://bit.ly/3l0DEyE

Contact:

Judy Miranda 09175570777

Julius Cainglet 09178553279

Partido Manggagawa Demands the Release of Five Unionists Arrested in Cebu

As workers commemorated Bonifacio Day in a nationally coordinated action, Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party) demanded the release of unionists Dennis Derige, Myra Opada, Joksan Branzuela, Jonel Labrador, and Cristito Pangan.

 

Opada is the union president at Philippine Light Leather, Pangan is the union president at First Glory Apparel while Derige, Branzuela and Labrador are union organizers.

 

The Mactan Economic Zone has been a site of struggle between local labor and foreign capital.  Last Friday, Nov. 27th, some 300 workers of the First Glory Apparel were fired -- the latest in the surge of mass layoffs at garment firms in the zone in the past three months.  The Sports City group of companies laid off 4,000 workers, Yuenthai fired 200 workers, FCO laid off 100 workers and Kor Landa retrenched 67 workers.

 

To mark Bonifacio Day, members of the Mactan Ecozone Workers Alliance, Partido Manggagawa, and Sentro assembled at Gate 3 and marched to Gate 2 where they held a program highlighting the Zone capitalists' attack on the right of workers to unionize, bargain collectively, seek redress of grievance and assemble peacefully. However, police broke up the rally and arrested the five unionists.

 

Rene Magtubo of PM called for an end to the repression of labor rights and the harassment of human rights defenders.  "Activism is not terrorism," said Magtubo.  "This is precisely the theme of today's national and global commemoration of Bonifacio Day."

 

The arrest of the PM Cebu labor organizers underscores the escalating attacks on workers' rights in the country, said Magtubo.  "It adds to the unsolved killings of unionists, busting of unions, and red-tagging of union activists." 

 

Last year, PM-Cavite labor organizer Dennis Sequena was brutally murdered while facilitating a labor seminar.  No one has been arrested, much less charged with his murder.

 

The impunity with which workers are fired in economic zones like Mactan, in the middle of a pandemic, graphically illustrates the inability of the government to ensure job security for native labor, and its puppetry toward foreign capital.  As employment shrinks steadily and dramatically in the country, the brunt of the double blow of a recession and a pandemic is felt most grievously by the Philippine working class.

Arrest of Cebu labor organizers slammed

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) denounced the arrest of several of its leaders and organizers in Cebu during the Bonifacio Day action of workers in the gate of the Mactan Economic Zone.

 

“We call for the release of PM leaders Dennis Derige, Myra Opada, Joksan Branzuela, Jonel Labrador and Cristito Pangan. Activism is not terrorism. Repression of labor rights and harassment of human rights defenders must stop. This is precisely the theme of today’s national and global commemoration of Bonifacio Day,” declard Rene Magtubo.

 

Members of Mactan Ecozone Workers Alliance, Partido Manggagawa and Sentro assembled at the Gate 3 of the Mactan Economic Zone at 8:00 am then marched towards Gate 2 where they held a program that highlighted the attacks on workers’ rights to unionize, bargain collectively, seek redress of grievances, and peaceful assembly.

 

Retrenched workers of factories in the Mactan ecozone joined the Bonifacio Day commemoration in Cebu against repression of labor rights. Last Friday, some 300 workers of First Glory Apparel were fired. This comes on the heels of mass layoffs at other garment firms in the Mactan ecozone in the last three months—the Sports City group of companies retrenched 4,000 workers, Yuenthai fired 2000 workers and FCO laid off 100 workers.

 

Magtubo insisted that “The arrest of PM Cebu labor organizers puts a spotlight on the escalating attacks on workers’ rights in the country and adds to the unsolved killings of unionists, busting of unions and red-tagging of union activists. Last PM-Cavite labor organizer Dennis Sequena was brutally murdered last year while facilitating a labor seminar.” 

November 30, 2020

Fight against inequality is continuation of Bonifacio’s struggle—Partido Manggagawa

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called on workers to fight inequality as the continuation of the struggle of Andres Bonifacio. On the occasion of this year’s commemoration of Bonifacio Day, thousands of workers from different labor groups are coming together to a big rally at Mendiola.

Members of PM are joining the major mobilizations in the cities of Manila, Cebu, Bacolod and Davao. Chapters of PM and groups Aguila, National Federation of Labor, Pwersa and Kilos Maralita from Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon are gathering at Blumentritt along Espana at 9 am. The groups will then link up with the Nagkaisa labor coalition march from Welcome Rotonda to Mendiola where they will hold a program up to noon.

Yesterday PM unveiled what it called “Panalo ang Pinas” and “Laban ng Pinoys” medals to express its message of fighting social inequality amidst economic growth. Scores of PM members trooped to Liwasang Bonifacio yesterday wearing symbolic medals that parodied the issues facing workers such as rampant contractualization and low wages, and the people such as government corruption and rice importation.

“For the last decade, the economy has doubled but real wages have remained stagnant. This means workers have not shared in the wealth that labor has produced and instead capitalists have monopolized it. If Bonifacio were alive today, he will be leading a new revolution against worsening inequality,” stated Judy Ann Miranda, PM Secretary General.

She added that “Endo and regional wages are among the key instruments by which government in collaboration with capitalists have kept workers from partaking in the fruits of their labor. Thus the campaign of workers to end endo and abolish regional wages are major struggles of the labor movement at present.”

PM is also condemning the repression of labor strikes that are breaking out as contractual workers demand regularization. The group also denounced the government for the slow action in resolving the killing of union organizer Dennis Sequena last June. The group reiterated its demand that the government allow the International Labor Organization to conduct a High Level Mission to probe the killings of labor activists and the suppression of freedom of association and collective bargaining. ###

Photos of the activity yesterday can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10157637737124323?__xts__[0]=68.ARAn6-GMxwARR7qpY1oScEC3ekZbxGpX5IrLSegz0XHYB2CyraT4YSP0hKOdWPClp--TcQdtTe9raovNypx2qx7grv30G_34JfRBD7g1ITPn3sid-1Of2C9XtjX4j7NPaka9Q1sNY0K2IevrDpR52FOSp_KSmyXD6vyUAmc8sj5Ln9VNgKBwAPrfJTsUlaZQxNQXj0iRfmLveuLuSldbgAnCbdxLPZtAGI3p7zuxbNAootVv7Xh2haUKlXTcX61sB8NHDZyMll5x_PjUMnczvMSsTKUyNy40AG4rhJ6RD36eZFwD_qIgTEhDHEK1GWrK-qRaoeappLTVtV7fK7Wq&__tn__=-R   

November 30, 2019

Labor group demands ‘medalya para sa manggagawa’ on the eve of Bonifacio Day

 

While organizers prepare for tomorrow’s the grandiose welcome and opening ceremonies of the South East Asian Games (SEA Games) at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, members of the labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) holds a symbolic unveiling of medals that reflect Philippine realities at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, Friday morning.

Andres Bonifacio’s 156^th Day celebration on November 30 coincides with the opening of the 30^th SEA Games. The working class hero’s day is by tradition celebrated through street marches by organized workers who make use of the occasion to raise age old and present day issues. Tomorrow, PM and labor groups under the banner of Nagkaisa! labor coalition will be marching from the Mabuhay Rotonda to Mendiola.

“Hindi lang ang ating mga atleta ang may laban sa SEA Games. Ang mga manggagawa ay patuloy ding nakikipaglaban sa noon ay pangarap na nina Bonifacio na kalayaan at kaginhawahan. Kaya’t ang tanong namin ngayon: May medalya ba para sa manggagawang Pinoy sa harap ng pagiging fastest growing economy ng Pilipinas dito sa ASEAN?,” stated PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

Six symbolic medals for “Panalo ang Pinas” and “Laban ng Pinoy” were unveiled by PM members at Liwasang Bonifacio.  Printed for the “Laban ng Pinoy” medals are demands for wage hike, end to endo and respect for labor and human rights, while for “Panalo ang Pinas” are medals for shooting, rice importation, and weight lifting.

The group explained further that the “Laban ng Pinoy” medals represent the workers’ lingering demands for the free exercise of labor rights and having a fair share from decades of economic growth.

The “Panalo ang Pinas” medals, on the other hand, is a scorn to the prevailing environment of extrajudicial killings in the country, the rice tariffication law that burdens our local farmers, and the kind of leadership the country has at present, represented by the “three brightest stars” (Duterte, Go, and Cayetano) in Philippine politics.

“Hangad namin ang matagumpay na pagdaraos ng SEA Games dito sa ating bansa. Pero ang mga medalyang ginto ay higit pang kikinang kung may sariling medalya na kumikilala at magpapasaya sa buhay ng uring manggagawa,” concluded Miranda.

Photos of the activity can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/10157637737124323?__xts__[0]=68.ARAn6-GMxwARR7qpY1oScEC3ekZbxGpX5IrLSegz0XHYB2CyraT4YSP0hKOdWPClp--TcQdtTe9raovNypx2qx7grv30G_34JfRBD7g1ITPn3sid-1Of2C9XtjX4j7NPaka9Q1sNY0K2IevrDpR52FOSp_KSmyXD6vyUAmc8sj5Ln9VNgKBwAPrfJTsUlaZQxNQXj0iRfmLveuLuSldbgAnCbdxLPZtAGI3p7zuxbNAootVv7Xh2haUKlXTcX61sB8NHDZyMll5x_PjUMnczvMSsTKUyNy40AG4rhJ6RD36eZFwD_qIgTEhDHEK1GWrK-qRaoeappLTVtV7fK7Wq&__tn__=-R

29 November 2019

Press Release: End to endo, wage boards top labor partylist demands on Bonifacio Day

The abolition of contractualization and the regional wage boards were the top demands of the labor partylist Partido Manggagawa (PM) in nationwide rallies to commemorate Bonifacio Day. Some one thousand workers, urban poor, community youth and college students joined the mobilization in Manila. Coordinated rallies were also held today in Cebu, Bacolod and Davao.

“If Gat Andres Bonifacio were alive today, he would no doubt be leading another revolution to defend workers against the onslaught of endo by greedy capitalists, the cheapening of wages by the regional wage boards and the loss of our sovereignty to both the US and China. To symbolize the fight, instead of ripping Spanish cedulas, Bonifacio would be tearing up the endo contracts and the wage orders,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

PM together with allied groups Kilos Maralita, Umalab Ka, National Federation of Labor, Aguila (Association of General Unions, Institutions and Labor Associations) and PUP student group SPEAK assembled its contingents at Blumentritt, Espana early this morning. By 9:00 am, they moved a short distance to Welcome Rotonda to merge with other groups under the labor coalition Nagkaisa. Around 10:00 am, the several-thousand strong rally marched down Espana towards Morayta. There Nagkaisa held a program to issue its “workers’ challenge” to candidates in the coming elections.

PM is calling on Congress to pass the pending Security of Tenure bill that provides for strict regulation against contractualization and aims to make regular jobs the norm in employment relations. Likewise, the group is demanding for a reform of the wage setting mechanism and a return to a national minimum wage instead of the present regional wages.

Magtubo asserted that “Duterte promised to abolish endo the moment he becomes president. In a dialogue with labor groups, he also said that ‘provincial rates’ must be eliminated. Three years into his term, these remain broken promises. Instead of focusing on people’s concerns like wages, jobs and inflation, his administration aims to capture the Senate so it can railroad the shift to federalism through charter change even as it continues the bloody war on drugs and prepares to start a new, bloodier war against communist rebels.”

PM is participating in the coming elections for the partylist. The demand to end endo and abolish the regional wage boards are part of its platform of “Apat na Dapat.” The other demands include provision of decent housing for the poor, subsidy for sustainable agriculture by farmers, and social services for women and youth.

November 30, 2018

Workers slam RevGov in Bonifacio Day rallies

The militant Partido Manggagawa (PM) called for a stop to the RevGov proposal in nationwide rallies commemorating Bonifacio Day. “Bonifaco led a real revolution to gain democracy for the Filipino masses. Duterte’s RevGov is instead a coup d’etat to install a dictatorship over the people,” asserted Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

PM joined the group Kalipunan ng Kilusang Masa in a several-thousand strong march from Espana to Mendiola this morning. PM and allied organizations also mobilized in Cebu, Davao and Bacolod.

Bonifacio Day was a litmus test for RevGov as anti and pro groups had separate for rallies today.

“We call on workers not to join any RevGov events. The first to be sacrificed in a RevGov-cum-dictatorship are the freedoms and rights of workers. Workers need political and civil liberties to advance their fight against capitalist exploitation and state abuses,” explained Magtubo.

Kalipunan assembled at Ramon Magsaysay High School along Espana by 8:00 am before marching by 9:00 am to Mendiola. In Cebu, the broad coalition Cebu Citizens Assembly marched at downtown Colon St. in the morning. Workers and urban poor led by PM and Sentro assembled at Orcullo Park in Davao, marched around the city and then returned to the park for a program. In Bacolod, sugar workers converged on the city for a rally at downtown.

Magtubo added that “RevGov seeks to capitalize on people’s discontent on the brutal failings of the EDSA democracy. But the alternative to the democracy of the trapos is not a return to a dictatorship of one man but forward to a democracy of the masses that was the agenda of Bonifacio’s revolution. A revolution from the top by a dictator is a fake. The real revolution is a the result of a movement of the masses.”

He added that the Bonifacio Day rallies against RevGov is just the opening salvo and the campaign will escalate towards the commemoration of International Human Rights Day on December 10. More events and mobilizations are slated in the run-up to the remembrance of human rights day. ###

November 30, 2017

PM-Kabataan statement on Marcos: REAL HEROES, REAL CHANGE

Nagkaisa Press Statement Bonifacio Day 2016

NAGKAISA

A better policy is possible

A win-win solution to endo is unacceptable

The only chance for Filipino workers to enjoy a life of dignity is to have secure and good paying jobs.  Contractualization is spoiling this dream.  And the government is unacceptably prolonging the misery. 

By raising the bogey of massive job loss once the government accedes to workers’ demand for an end to all forms of contractualization, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), was in effect forcing the workers to accept its win-win formula that allows, rather than prohibit, the perpetuation of different forms of contractualization.

The DTI proposal is unacceptable on two grounds.  First, the end endo promise, the way it was presented by the President during the election campaign, did not mean the end of one form of contractualization and the legalization of another type.  Second, legalizing sub-contracting and outsourcing work arrangement is a ploy to shield employers from assuming their inherent responsibility of providing direct and regular employment to their workers.  Regularization done in contractor agencies rather than in mother companies is a fraud.

We don’t want to assume that the DTI wish is the President’s command. But why is the President’s command now marching towards a different direction?

Saan kami ngayon kukuha ng kapal ng kumpyansa kung wala na sa mukha ng gubyerno ang kaseryosohang ganap na itigil ang endo? Kung ang DTI at DOLE ay parehong win-win na ang tono?

Analogous to the time of Gat Andres Bonifacio, the epidemic of contractualization diminishes the plight of Filipino workers to a life of colonial subjects unable to exercise their freedom because none of their masters today would want to recognize their sovereign existence as regular employees. 

Hindi pinangarap ni Gat Andres Bonifacio ang ganitong buhay para sa mga Pilipino.  Filipinos did not wage a revolution against colonial exploitation only to be subjected to another form of oppression.

Kung gayon ay dapat mabatid: Kung ayaw tapusin ng gubyerno ang endo, hindi rin tatapusin ng uring manggagawa ang kanyang rebolusyon.

November 30, 2016

Workers cry “End endo” and “Marcos Hindi Bayani” in Bonifacio Day rallies

Several thousand workers marched in key cities today to commemorate Bonifacio Day, demand a ban on contractualization and protest the hero’s burial of Marcos.

The nationwide rallies led by the labor coalition Nagkaisa were billed as a “National Day of Action Vs. Endo.” Partido Manggagawa (PM) together with other labor groups rejected the so-called “win-win” solution on contractualization and pushed for an “end endo” formula of prohibition of subcontracting of regular jobs.

“The misnamed win-win scheme proposed by employers, and promoted by the Trade and Labor Departments will not end endo. It is a scam that will lead to the utter proliferation of outsourcing and contracting out of regular jobs by the principal employers,” explained Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

Member groups of Nagkaisa marched from Welcome Rotonda to Morayta where it held a program. Militant workers then joined other groups for another rally around noon at Mendiola to register labor’s condemnation of the surprise hero’s burial for Marcos. Labor organizations later participated in the broad protest at the People Power Monument called by the Coalition Against the Marcos Burial.

In Cebu City, workers marched from downtown Colon to Plaza Independencia. Industrial and sugar workers rallied at the Bacolod marker Araneta. In Davao City, workers marched from the Freedom Park to the Bonifacio Monument. 

To express labor’s twin demands, PM highlighted the slogan “Ilibing ang kontraktwalisasyon hindi ang kasalanan ni Marcos.” Magtubo averred that “Students have already made their stand known. Today workers voiced out too their position on the burning issues of our country.”

“A hero’s burial for the late dictator is a stepping stone for the return to power of another Marcos. We can’t move on to a future where the occupant of Malacanang is an unrepentant member of a family that pillaged the public treasury and burdened generations with debt,” he added.

Magtubo argued that “President Duterte is accountable for this mockery of justice. He is in fact simply paying a debt, probably not of gratitude. Duterte’s newfound respect for the letter of the law in the case of Marcos’ burial contrasts with his utter disregard for due process and human rights for most everything else, including the execution of a bloody war on drugs.”

November 30, 2016

“End endo” and “Marcos Hindi Bayani” top workers demands in big rally tomorrow

Several thousand workers are marching in key cities tomorrow to commemorate Bonifacio Day, demand a ban on contractualization and protest the hero’s burial of Marcos. Meanwhile the militant Partido Manggagawa (PM) today slammed the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for a statement that foreign firms will pull out if contractualization is banned.

“The DTI is just parroting the usual capitalist blackmail when workers make demands that dent their profit. Firms, foreign or local, want contractualization because it is a way to cheapen labor costs by denying them job security and the opportunity to unionize and bargain for better wages and benefits,” argued Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

The nationwide Bonifacio Day rallies by the labor coalition Nagkaisa are billed as a “National Day of Action Vs. Endo.” PM together with other labor groups are rejecting the so-called “win-win” solution on contractualization and pushing for “end endo” formula of prohibition of subcontracting of regular jobs.

“The misnamed win-win scheme of the employers and DTI will not end endo. It is a scam that will lead to the utter proliferation of outsourcing and contracting out of regular jobs by the principal employers,” explained Magtubo.

Member groups of Nagkaisa will assemble tomorrow 8:00 a.m. at the Welcome Rotonda and then march to Morayta where it will hold a program. Militant workers will then join advocacy groups for another rally around noon at Mendiola to register labor’s condemnation of the surprise hero’s burial for Marcos.

To express labor’s twin demands tomorrow, PM is highlighting the slogan “Ilibing ang kontraktwalisasyon hindi ang kasalanan ni Marcos.” Magtubo averred that “Students have already made their stand known. Tomorrow workers will voice out their position on the burning issues of our country.”

PM and Nagkaisa are also holding mobilizations in key cities tomorrow. In Cebu City, workers will march from downtown Colon to Plaza Independencia. Industrial and sugar workers are going to rally at the Bacolod marker Araneta. In Davao City tomorrow, workers are marching from the Freedom Park to the Bonifacio Monument.

PM also expressed doubt on the announcement the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that 25,000 contractual workers have been made regular. Instead PM revealed that the DOLE has not been able to enforce regularization of workers in numerous instances. The militant group said that there is a Japanese-owned electronics factory in the Cavite ecozone that has refused to regularize hundreds of its agency workers despite an order from the DOLE. It cited the case of the PALEA 600 who have not been reinstated by Philippine Airlines as regular workers despite a settlement agreement that provides for it. Finally PM also pointed out the case of 149 Pizza Hut contractual workers who were retrenched when they sought regularization but have been reinstated only as agency workers. “It seems that the news of 25,000 newly regularized workers is fake similar to posts in Mocha Uson's controversial blog,” Magtubo said.

November 29, 2015