Workers ask DOLE to include labor reps in Boracay inspection

Photo from Philstar.com

The partylist group Partido Manggagawa welcomed the inspection by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) of Boracay establishments even as it asked for the inclusion of labor representatives in the plan.

“We request the DOLE to include duly deputized representatives of labor groups in the planned inspection in Boracay to ensure compliance by Chinese-owned shops and stores of our labor laws and regulations. Under DO 183 released in 2017, reps of workers and employers can be deputized as labor inspectors to strengthen the labor law compliance system. Dozens of deputized inspectors from workers organizations have been trained since then and should now be deployed by the DOLE in Boracay,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

He added that “Some 30,000 workers were displaced by President Rodrigo Duterte’s closure of Boracay last year and most of them have not found employment again in the island. So we are concerned about reports that the Chinese-owned establishments have been exclusively hiring Chinese nationals as cashiers, cooks, waitresses, laborers and drivers. This is a violation of our labor regulations as these are jobs that can be done by Filipinos.”

“However, we do not call for the expulsion or deportation of Chinese workers. The Chinese migrant workers should be treated justly just as we would like our overseas Filipino workers to be treated with dignity abroad. Once there is a formal determination that their jobs can be done by Filipinos and can be filled up, the Chinese workers can then be repatriated back to China at the expense of their Chinese employers who violated our laws. The Chinese workers must be paid by their Chinese employers for their wages for the duration of their contract even though it was not served because of the repatriation. This is our pro-migrant worker resolution of these problem of influx of Chinese workers in our country,” Magtubo explained.

He averred that “Finally, we ask the DOLE to priotize the re-employment of Filipino workers displaced by the Boracay shutdown last year. The government has a master list of these displaced workers. Now that Boracay is back in business, these workers should be re-employed as promised.”

April 21, 2019

Labor group slams Duterte for endo, inflation and unemployment

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte for the persistence of endo, rising inflation and the threat of unemployment. PM called on the government to drop charter change and instead prioritize regular jobs and a living wage.

“Ang end endo ay naDuterte. Isa itong naDigong pangako. Workers are bearing the brunt of the broken promises of the administration. Malacanang’s belated announcement that an EO may be signed today is obviously a last minute maneuver. We’ll judge the EO when indeed one is signed. Contractuals do not become regular just because of a press release. Gawa hindi salita,” exclaimed Dennis Derige, PM-Cebu spokesperson.

PM joined the labor coalition Nagkaisa and the Cebu Citizen’s Assembly in the rally that gathered at the Sto. Rosario Church before marching to downtown Colon. PM participated in the labor unity rally of Nagkaisa and KMU in Manila that was a massive indignation mobilization against President Duterte’s failure to end contractualization. PM chapters in Bacolod, Davao and General Santos also mobilized for the nationwide Labor Day commemoration.

In Bacolod, PM and KMU contingents had a salubungan in the morning at the Fountain of Justice at the old City Hall. PM’s main rally was held in the afternoon after a mass meeting in the morning. In Davao, Nagkaisa and KMU assembled in the morning at Orcullo Park and then marched around the city.

PM warned of rising unemployment with a call from President Rodrigo Duterte for Kuwaiti OFW’s to come home, the six-month closure of Boracay and the impact of TRAIN on the economy.

“President Duterte is again making a personal promise, this time of providing jobs for OFW’s. But he has yet to deliver on his campaign promise two years go to end endo the moment he assumes the presidency. Mr. President, not another broken promise,” averred Derige.

The group is concerned as well with the rising inflation together with worsening unemployment. Economists predict that inflation will hit 4.6% this April. Inflation has steadily climbed every month from just 2.9% last December.

“Even as jobs remained contractual not regular, wages are being eroded by the escalation of prices. Where is the iron fist to control prices? Government is sleeping on the job!,” Derige argued.

He insisted that the fight against contractualization is not over as the group vowed to organize and mobilize workers in the continuing campaign to end endo. 

May 1, 2018

Workers warn of unemployment with OFW’s going back, Boracay closure and TRAIN impact

On the eve of Labor Day, the workers group Partido Manggagawa (PM) warned of rising unemployment with a call from President Rodrigo Duterte for Kuwaiti OFW’s to come home, the six-month closure of Boracay and the impact of TRAIN on the economy.

As part of the buildup for the massive Labor Day indignation rally, the union Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) is holding a motorcade around Ayala Ave. this afternoon while members of PM-Kabataan distribute leaflets appealing for participation in tomorrow’s protest.

Tomorrow, PM is participating in the labor unity rally in Manila and other key cities to slam the President for his broken promise of ending endo. Aside from Manila, PM chapters in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao and General Santos are mobilizing for the nationwide Labor Day commemoration. The group is calling for the government to drop the chacha and focus instead on regular jobs and a living wage.

 “Where are the jobs for the 260,000 OFW’s deployed in Kuwait, the 27,000 registered and unregistered workers displaced in Boracay, the 900 workers laidoff by Coca-Cola due to the TRAIN law, the 600,000 college graduates and thousands more of K-12 graduates,” declared Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.

The group is alarmed as well with the rising inflation together with worsening unemployment. Economists predict that inflation will hit 4.6% this April. Inflation has steadily climbed every month from just 2.9% last December.

Last week, PM held a protest at the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to highlight its call for decent jobs for young workers and slam rising inflation.

Miranda cited a recently released report by the World Bank about the lack of quality jobs in the country and the worsening inequality as a result.

She added “And if these young and old workers are lucky enough to find a job, will it be regular and pay a living wage? We all know that the reason OFW’s go abroad is because of lack of decent jobs in the Philippines. So why will Kuwaiti OFW’s fly back home when nothing has changed in the jobs situation in the Philippines?”

Miranda insisted that “President Duterte is again making a personal promise, this time of providing jobs for OFW’s. But he has yet to deliver on his campaign promise two years go to end endo the moment he assumes the presidency. Mr. President, not another broken promise.”

April 30, 2018

Only a labor-drafted EO is acceptable to workers - PM

Reacting to Malakanyang spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement that labor groups could expect a pro-worker Executive Order on or before Labor Day, Partido Mangggagawa Chair avers, “it remains to be seen”. 

“Labor groups have gone through five drafts, and every draft was rejected by employers led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the DOLE did nothing. Waiting for a pro-worker EO therefore that is agreeable to the employers is like waiting for a crow to change its color white”, Magtubo explained. 

The 5th labor-drafted EO, Magtubo said, “contains government’s policy of direct hiring in employment relations but offers exemption to jobs or function that can be contracted out subject to consultation with the labor secretary.” 

“Only the President can issue a pro-worker EO if he wants to in order to realize his campaign promise. Now is the time that the President should show his political will by signing the labor-drafted EO”, he added. 

“Kaya ngang ipasara ng Pangulo ang Boracay para makahinga ang kalikasan. Bakit biglang nahihirapang maging decisive sa pangakong wakasan ang endo? Samantalang ang pro-worker EO ay reinstatement lang ng direct hiring na dati nang polisiya para maibasura ang nagkalat na porma ng kontraktwalisasyon sa bansa na sumisira sa buhay ng manggagawa,” said Magtubo.

PM calls on all labor groups to close rank, stand firm on the position that labor will only accept a labor-drafted EO, and prepare for a nationwide “all labor” mass action on Labor Day.

April 17, 2018