Advisory: Launch of campaign for employment and people’s participation in Yolanda rehab

MEDIA ADVISORY

December 30, 2013

Contact: Judy Torres @ 09262389963; 09482495848

Launch of campaign for employment and people’s participation in Yolanda rehab

WHAT: Mass and motorcade to highlight launch of Yolanda rehab campaign  

WHEN: Today, December 30 (Monday), 12 noon

WHERE: Sto. Nino Church then motorcade around Tacloban City and finally a program at the church social hall

DETAILS: The campaign will demand that employment, social protection and people’s participation be bedrocks of the Yolanda rehabilitation and reconstruction plan in order to address not just the immediate but also the long term needs of Pepe and Pilar.
                The campaign is to be launched by tricycle and trisikad drivers and operators in Tacloban, Hilongos and Baybay, in coordination with the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

 The groups will attend a noon mass at the Sto. Nino Church after which they will hold a motorcade around Tacloban City with posters bearing the call, “Make jobs a priority in Yolanda rehab”, wrapped around their trikes.  The motorcade will end at the church for a gathering and small salu-salo at the social hall where family members and other Yolanda survivors will hear the groups’ manifesto.

Cybercrime law a product of low quality legislation, sloppiness of P-Noy

PRESS RELEASE

04 October 2012

  

Even as authors retract and propose amendments to Republic Act No. 10175 or the anti-cybercrime law, the militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) advised netizens and the general public to expect more low quality legislation and more blunders from Malacanang.

“The cybercrime law was definitely a low quality piece of legislation approved and completed into law by a signature of a sloppy President,” stated Partido ng Manggagawa chair Renato Magtubo.

The labor group believes that while the State has the right to impose regulation to any industry or any activity to promote the common good, to regulate freedom just to flush out cybercriminals however requires a very meticulous mind and a careful balancing act.

“We are also interested in seeing the faces and in penalizing cybercriminals who are victimizing women, children, OFWs and many innocent citizens.  But their confinement cannot be made a substitute to the curtailment of our freedom to express ourselves,” stressed Magtubo.

Magtubo, who is a former partylist representative, said the labor sector never expects a major change in this level of legislation with certificates of candidacies for the 2013 national and local elections filled up with the same names and parochial interests dominating the country’s elective positions.

The former lawmaker recalled the same blunder attending the passage of the infamous Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA, which Gloria Arroyo, upon signing, admitted that the law contained many flaws and loopholes. 

“Now, we’re suffering the harsh consequence of EPIRA by having the most expensive power rates in the world.  Yet Congress is not moving to repeal this law,” added Magtubo.

And as convenor of the biggest labor coalition NAGKAISA!, Magtubo also complained that while the cybercrime law was enacted in speed,  the labor-backed legislation such as the Security of Tenure Bill (SOT), the Freedom of Information (FOI) and the Reproductive Health Bill (RH) gather dust in the legislative mill.

PAL outsourcing plan cannot fly—PALEA

Press Release

September 15, 2011

PALEA

On the eve of the extended deadline for terminated employees of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to sign up for the service providers, the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) claimed that the outsourcing plan is facing difficulties. “PAL’s outsourcing plan cannot fly or even takeoff because of the unity and defiance of PALEA members,” asserted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

Rivera declared that the overwhelming majority of the 2,600 employees who will be affected by the mass layoff and outsourcing plan have not signed the termination notices sent to them and even fewer have signed up to work for the three service providers. “Of the few employees who availed of the separation package, a significant number have already made affidavits of retraction alleging that they only accepted the termination under duress and with deceit,” he revealed.

Tomorrow PALEA is holding a big protest rally to serve as a final warning to PAL against enforcing a lockout on the workers. “The one week extension of the original September 9 deadline for terminated workers to apply to the service providers is proof of management’s failure to coerce and cajole PALEA members into accepting the mass layoff. Still PAL had not retreated from its announcement that September 30 is the last day of work for laid off workers,” Rivera explained.

PALEA also denounced the termination of an additional 55 customer service agents (CSA’s) who were hired in batches last June and July. “These CSA’s were hired on a six-month contract but PAL early this week arbitrarily pre-terminated their employment for no reason at all and were told that October 15 is their last day of work. The fate of these CSA’s is a preview of the life of workers in the service providers. Their working conditions will be at the whim of the company and they can be fired at will. They will have no voice in the workplace and no union to protect them,” Rivera elaborated.

PALEA continues to slam the contractual working conditions at the service providers. Rivera gave a concrete example of the downgrading of pay and status for PAL employees, “A senior PAL reservation agent with five years of work experience receives PhP 22,400 in salaries and allowances but is being offered by service provider SPI Global a wage of only PhP 10,000. This is not even the minimum salary and clearly a starvation wage for a family breadwinner.”

More than a thousand PAL employees are expected to attend the big protest tomorrow with hundreds more participants coming from labor and church groups supporting PALEA’s cause. The protesters will assemble by 2:30 p.m. at PAL Nichols Gate 2 then march to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish at the corner of MIA and Sucat Roads for a program that will last until 8:00 p.m.

Labor group hopeful of the release of political prisoners as peace talks make headway

The labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) is hopeful the release of political prisoners can be made possible as conditions for the resumption of peace negotiations with the country’s rebel groups get a boost from the Tokyo meeting between President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

“We hope that political prisoners reap the early gains from the improving environment for peace talks”, stated PM secretary-general Judy Ann Miranda. 

PM together with the members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) trooped to the Department of Justice this morning to press for the release of all political prisoners.

Miranda said political prisoners should be considered by the government as “beneficiaries” of peace even prior to the conclusion of final peace agreements with the revolutionary movements.

“In fact an act of magnanimity can be extended by the government to political prisoners even without the peace talks as many of them have already served their full sentences from many years of detention,” argued Miranda, citing the case of Juanito Itaas who had been serving prison terms since 1989.

There are still more than 300 political prisoners languishing in different jails all over the country according to human rights groups.  All of them were accused of having links with either the communist or separatist movements but were held for as common criminals.

Political prisoners at the National Bilibid Prison went on hunger strike since President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) to appeal for their immediate and unconditional release.   After the dialogue with human rights groups and DOJ officials last week, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima ordered prison officials to look into the conditions of the hunger strikers.

Labor group to P-Noy: Do a Cory, free all political prisoners

On Cory Aquino's death anniversary, militants rally at DOJ to call on PNoy to release all political prisoners

PRESS RELEASE

01 August 2011

President Benigno S. Aquino III “can do a Cory” by ordering the unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners (PPs), the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said in a statement as the country commemorates the second death anniversary of the former President.

PM joined the families of political prisoners in a rally held this morning at the Department of Justice organized by human rights groups to press for the release of all the remaining political prisoners in the country.

“Giving political prisoners a chance for new life is a good way of remembering his mother  who was credited for ordering the unconditional release of all political detainees during her time,” said PM secretary-general Judy Ann Miranda.

PM leaders visited the political prisoners at NBP’s Building 11 yesterday. Miranda said ten (10) political prisoners led by Juanito Itaas, the longest-serving political prisoner in the country, are still on full hunger strike while others are on sympathy fasting.

The labor group likewise urged Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to include this issue on top of her many priorities as she had promised to during her dialogue with the political prisoners sometime in 2009 when she was still the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. 

All of the more than 300 political prisoners in the country were jailed for non-bailable crimes such as murder and kidnapping rather than for political offenses related to their political activities.   Itaas for instance was implicated for the murder of US Col. James Rowe 22 years ago.  He was arrested in 1989 in Davao City. 

Like Itaas, most of the political prisoners are ordinary farmers who were accused of being NPA rebels and were locked up for life on trump-up charges.

“They have suffered enough.  Many of our political prisoners have in fact served in full their life sentences and therefore are already qualified for unconditional pardon,” concluded Miranda.

Women workers call on PNoy to make RH bill a priority

PRESS RELEASE

Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)

22 July 2011

Around 200 women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) joined the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) rally held at Mendiola this morning to, once again, call on President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to include the RH bill in his priority legislations for this Monday’s (July 25) SONA.

PM women members brought with them posters of a clock set on 11 o’clock depicting the number of women dying of pregnancy and childbirth complications daily.  Women are calling on PNoy to put an end to this daily massacre by putting his words into action. 

“Your administration has been always clear with your commitment to the private sector, but not with the people whom you have declared your 'bosses.'  You have made sporadic statements of support to the RH bill.  It has been confusing though because you did not include it in your first SONA priority list of legislations.  We hope that it will be in your second SONA,” stressed PM Secretary General Judy Ann Chan-Miranda.

On Monday, PNoy’s second SONA, the Partido ng Manggagawa will join the rally at Mendiola in morning together with other labor groups.  In the afternoon, it will be part of the joint rally of the Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay (KAMP) and Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) at the Batasan.  Besides the demand to priority the RH bill, PM will call on the PNoy administration to put an end to contractualization and ensure workers’ rights and security of tenure.

Filipino migrant teachers picket US DOL office

[Photo by teacher Zarelle Bernardo]

Last July 15, 2011, around 300 Filipino teachers and their supporters trooped to the office of the US Department of Labor (DOL) in Washington DC to protest the department's recent decision. The protest action was spearheaded by the Pilipino Educators Network (PEN).

The DOL's decision will affect more than 1000 foreign teachers. These foreign teachers who are mostly from the Philippines are holding H1-B visas.  They are victims of excessive fees by their placement agency and employer (Prince George County Public Schools).  After investigation, the DOL handed down a decision that penalizes the district. However the decision also penalizes the victims even harder by mandating that the employer will not be allowed to renew the teacher's visas for the next two years. This will result in a series of termination of more than 800 Filipino teachers.

Partido ng Manggagawa sent its statement of solidarity and released its position statement in support of the teachers protest action.

PM supports Escudero’s call for independent body to investigate poll cheating

Press Release

July 20, 2011

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) today expressed support for Sen. Chiz Escudero’s call for an independent body headed by a retired Supreme Court justice to conduct an investigation into the allegations of cheating in the elections of 2004 and 2007.

“It is high time to put a closure to the question of who really won the 2004 elections. Arising from the cover up during the regime of Gloria Arroyo, it is to the interest of truth and justice that an independent body now hears evidence and testimony of witnesses such as Zaldy Ampatuan and Lintang Bedol,” stated Renato Magtubo, PM national chair.

Magtubo also called on President Benigno Aquino III to include the burning issue of poll reregulates in his SONA speech. “We want to hear in his SONA PNoy’s personal position on the demand for an investigation of the cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections,” Magtubo insisted.

However Magtubo also challenged Aquino to go beyond the issues of cheating and corruption in his SONA speech. “We know that PNoy will highlight his administration’s accomplishments in the arena of stamping corruption but poverty will not be solved by good governance alone. Poverty can only be eradicated by radical reforms in the economic and social arena that to attacks the iniquitous distribution of wealth in the country,” he elaborated.

PM is planning protests before and during the SONA to underscore its critique of the Aquino administrations programs. On Friday morning, PM will participate in a thousand-strong mobilization of pro-RH bill advocates at Mendiola. Meanwhile on Friday noon, PM will lead a rally at the

Roxas Boulevard

office of the Philippine Export Zone Authority to assail the agency for its role in the suppression of the right to organize in ecozones.

On Monday, PM will join other labor groups in another Mendiola rally to criticize the administration’s anti-labor policies including its tolerance of contractual employment. In the afternoon, PM will participate in a broad mobilization of militant organizations at the Batasan to challenge President Aquino on the pro-globalization framework of the Philippine Development Plan and the public-private partnership.

“PNoy’s decision in the Philippine Airlines labor dispute over outsourcing and contractualization, and recently his praise for Hanjin’s billion-dolar investments but silence over the shipyard’s record as a graveyard for workers rights are the most concrete illustration of the contradiction between his anti-corruption posture and his pro-globalization agenda,” Magtubo argued.

PALEA holds motorcade vs. temporary outsourcing plan

Press Release

June 13, 2011

PALEA

Dark clouds are gathering over the airport as another dispute over a temporary outsourcing arrangement threatens the tense calm between the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the union Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA). In a sign of renewed stormy labor relations, PALEA held a motorcade this afternoon to protest PAL’s plan to hire on June 16 contractual workers from Lucio Tan-owned service provider MacroAsia.

“We are ready to defend our jobs and the union if PAL does not back down from deploying contractual workers on Thursday. We call on PALEA members to remain vigilant until there is a firm commitment from PAL for direct hiring instead of temporary outsourcing,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and Partido ng Manggagawa vice chair. As of today no agreement has been reached by management and the union on the issue.

PALEA members assembled by 2:30 p.m. at their headquarters in Paranaque for the protest action. The motorcade then proceeded to PAL’s In-Flight Center near the Centennial Terminal and then on to the Nichols gate where other company offices are located.

The national flag carrier is facing an acute manpower shortage for passenger handling due to the exodus of customer service agents who have sought greener pastures abroad. PAL asked PALEA for cooperation in allowing MacroAsia to work the departure gates for a period of six months.

The union immediately rejected the plan but offered to help in rehiring former PAL employees and recalling trainees who were not hired due to a freeze hiring program. Last June 9 PALEA submitted a partial list of people interested in the position of customer service agents.

The embattled union considers the temporary outsourcing plan a “backdoor implementation” of the controversial contractualization plan at PAL. The legality of the contractualization scheme is pending on appeal at the Office of the President while a related but separate case regarding PAL’s refusal to bargain with PALEA is due for decision at the National Labor Relations Commission. PALEA is also coordinating with the global union International Transport Workers Federation for a complaint to be filed at the International Labor Organization against the Philippine government and PAL management for violation of conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

PALEA is arguing that the temporary outsourcing of regular jobs to MacroAsia is a violation of the April 1 order of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz enjoining management and the union from engaging in any act that will exacerbate the labor dispute at PAL. Baldoz had imposed an assumption of jurisdiction order on the labor row at PAL which stopped PALEA from a planned strike last April.

TRUCK WORKERS LAUNCH PROTEST STRIKE AGAINST HARBOUR-LINK MANAGEMENT

PRESS RELEASE

6 June 2011

UNITED PANAY & ILOILO TRUCK DRIVERS ASSOCIATION

 

The truck drivers of Harbour-Link Transport, Inc. launched protest action today in front of its office and motor pool located at Brgy. Banoyao along coastal road in La Paz , Iloilo City .

The 15 drivers were joined by their families in the protest expressing disgust over Harbour-Link management’s continued to refusal to provide them of incentives, such as; 13th month pay, service incentive leave pay, and holiday pay since 2004.

According to Elmer Blancaflor, spokesperson of the drivers, “we have not been receiving these incentive pay since 2004 and we call on the management to settle its obligations to us especially in these times of desperate need with the opening of the classes.”

“These incentives are law mandated and consistent in upholding the labor standards in the workplace. We are only asking from the management what is due for us,” stressed Blancaflor.

Moreover, the drivers are likewise demanding that the management reinstate them back to work after they were unjustly relieved of driving duties by gathering from them the truck keys the day after they lodged a complaint at the regional office of National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).  

The filing of complaint is a necessary legal step that we took in order for the management to realize that they cannot abandon their obligations to their workers and to formalize our demand on the proper venue. The management however seem displeased by our actions thus relieved us from our work,” explained by Blancaflor.    

The truck drivers of Harbour-Link Transport are members of the United Panay and Iloilo Truck Drivers Association (UPTDA), a group of Class “A” licensed and skilled drivers from different companies in the container van and forwarding industry formed by Partido ng Manggagawa (PM Panay-Guimaras).

Cito Cordero, president of UPTDA explained that “if the management and legal counsel of Harbour-Link are guided by the labor standards set forth by our labor laws then they are aware that they deliberately committed “constructive dismissal” after they relieved the drivers of driving duties following their filing of a complaint.”

“This is a clear violation against the driver-workers. A management who is aware of its responsibilities yet has engaged itself in violating it is also committing abuse to its workers,” said Cordero.

The management must realize that we, the workers, are the lifeblood of our industries and of our economy and nation. What they are doing anti-workers and unacceptable to the working class,” criticized Cordero.

For his part, Ronald Payda, coordinator of PM Panay-Guimaras shared that the management of Harbour-Link cannot just exercise its “management prerogative” anytime they see fit.’

Payda averred, that there are parameters provided on how management can address the problems of its workers putting limitations to management prerogatives. I urge their lawyer, Atty. Jose Junio Jacela to refresh his memory regarding fair labor practices by reviewing his labor law.”

“We call on all our fellow workers to unite and support the cause of Harbour-Link drivers. Our unity is the only weapon that we have in our hands as we push for our collective demand for proper compensations and benefits, concluded Payda.

PM raises suspicions on PNoy visit to US warship

Press Release

May 15, 2011

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) expressed suspicion at the scrapping of Manny Pacquiao’s courtesy call at Malacanang for a hush-hush visit of President Benigno Aquino III and his top officials to a US aircraft carrier. “It appears that PNoy prefers playing little brown brother instead of honoring a Filipino boxing hero. Given the circumstances, his visit to the USS Carl Vinson cannot be an innocent tour. The Americans talked to PNoy about something they wanted to remain secret, out of earshot of the Filipino people and out of the prying cameras of the media” asserted Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.

The group reiterated its opposition to the VFA and support for its scrapping. Moreover it called for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in order to promote transparency in government and access to information by the people. PM is calling on the Senate to repudiate the VFA and on Congress to pass the FOI bill.

“Such a top secret agenda in the middle of the high seas could be anything from more concessions about American access to Philippines as per the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to increased US intervention in the war against Muslim insurgents as a follow through to Osama Bin Laden’s assassination,” Miranda speculated.

She added that “It could have been understandable that since PNoy likes fast cars, he would also be obsessed with big ships. But the visit came at the invitation of the Americans not at PNoy’s insistence.”

“We cannot be faulted from assuming the worse due to the suspicious circumstances. This is a big issue despite Malacanang’s attempt to downplay the event as a tour and douse the fire of speculation about the incident,” Miranda furthered.

PM is preparing for protest actions against the four-day visit of the USS Carl Vinson. It also warned at a repeat of the Subic rape case with thousands of US servicemen due to have rest and recreation in the country.

Labor party joins other groups in pushing for right to water

PRESS RELEASE
22 March 2011

The labor party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) links up with other groups under the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) pushing for the recognition and enforcement of the right to water.

A rally led by FDC was held this morning at the Mabuhay Rotonda on the occasion of the 18th World Water Day, urging President Aquino to unequivocally declare the government’s recognition of this right and to take the lead in ensuring that water preservation and water supply provision is built around the human right to water and the principles of environmental sustainability.

PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda said that because water is a finite
natural resource, global capitalism was able to alter its social function from being a ‘common good’ into a private commodity being traded into the market.

“Gone were the times when 'free water' is enjoyed by communities. Now it is a private commodity traded similar to how a cola is priced in the market,” explained Miranda.

The labor group said the privatization of the water industry in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, transformed this social good into a cash-rich business that delivers high returns to private corporations while becoming more inaccessible to the poor.

In 1992, the United Nations declared March 22 as the World Water Day in recognition of the importance of securing global water resource. Water right is a human right that cannot be denied to anybody, including the next generations.

Miranda added that chronic poverty made many poor communities virtually “waterless” as private water utilities would only lay their pipes to economically viable areas leaving the unconnected households at the mercy of aguadors who supply them with more costly and unsafe water.

According to FDC, between 1990 to 2006, the percentage of Filipinos with access to improved water sources decreased from 87% to 81%. A total of 432 communities have been listed as waterless, with less than 50% of the households having access to safe potable water supply.

Moreover, watersheds are recklessly being destroyed by corporate activities such as metallic and fossil fuel mining and other industrial activities which largely contribute also to climate change.

Hundreds march for housing rights in Dasmarinas, Cavite

Press Release
March 15, 2011

Some 500 residents of Dasmarinas, Cavite marched to call the attention of the local government for their demand of housing security. The marchers assembled at 7:00 a.m. in Sibol in Brgy. Sta Fe then arrived at the Dasmarinas city hall by 8:00 a.m.

“We ask Mayor Jennifer Barzaga to heed the demands of her constituents. Affordable and decent housing is a right that the government should guarantee. We hope that the call of these hundreds of residents of Dasmarinas does not fall on deaf ears,” stated Ramil Cangayao, chairperson of the Cavite chapter of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

The marchers had filed a request for an appointment today with Mayor Barzaga but did not receive a confirmation. The marchers came from residents of City Homes and also the community of Sibol.

The residents of City Homes are facing foreclosure due to the heavy debts incurred when their housing loans were transferred from government-owned National Home Mortgage Financing Corp. to a private financing firm. “Residents of City Homes are now saddled with debts that are more than the market value of their houses due to usurious interest and penalties. The transfer happened without the knowledge of the residents. It is like they were ambushed and now they risk losing their homes which they have partially paid for with hard-earned savings,” Cangayao explained.

Meanwhile the informal settlers of the depressed area of Sibol are asking the local government to expropriate the private land on which their houses are built. Cangayao said that “The city of Dasmarinas has the power to expropriate for the purpose of socialized housing through an ordinance. We are calling on Mayor Barzaga and the city council for the ordinance and budget appropriation in the interest of hundreds of families who have lived in Sibol for years already.”

The march comes on the heels of a protest last March 7 by old tenants in the nearby town of GMA, Cavite due to the threat of a demolition by the local government. The picket at the weekly flag ceremony in the GMA municipal hall caught the attention of some councilors who promised to look in the demand for decent relocation.

PM together with Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino and Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite have been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures. The groups are involved in the consultations being held by the cabinet level task force headed by Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor.

Old tenants in GMA, Cavite protest planned demolition

Press Release
March 7, 2011

Old tenants living in Poblacion 1 in the town of GMA, Cavite protested the planned demolition of their homes during the weekly flag ceremony at the municipal hall. They are asking GMA Mayor Leonisa Joana "Ona" Virata for a dialogue concerning their demands.

Some 80 families who are members of the Poblacion Neighborhood Family Association (Pobnefa) are claiming their right to security of housing since they have been living in the area since the 1990’s. Pobnefa together with Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino (AMP) and the Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Cavite (Sanagca) are also asserting the moratorium on demolitions ordered by the DILG in view of ongoing consultations on a solution to the housing problem.

“While the old tenants do not have a piece of paper that serves as title to the land, they have been living in the area for almost two decades now. The land is owned by the National Housing Authority and the agency has allowed the municipal government to utilize the land. Since this is public land, we are asking Mayor Virata to dialogue with the residents and heed their demands,” explained Ramil Cangayao, PM-Cavite chairperson.

He added that “We hope that Mayor Virata will not forcibly demolish the home of the old tenants. In the first place, there is a de facto moratorium on demolitions as per instructions of the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.”

Cangayao was referring to the cabinet level task force headed by Robredo with the mandate to formulate and recommend policy resolutions on the housing issues confronting the urban poor. During the pendency of the consultations with the urban poor on the policy recommendations, a moratorium will take effect. It was on this basis that the demolition in San Juan, Metro Manila ordered by the city government was stopped a month ago by Robredo himself.

PM, AMP and Sanagca also announced that on March 15 some 500 urban poor residents in Dasmarinas, Cavite will march for the same demand of right to security of housing. The marchers will be composed of residents who are pushing for awarding by the NHA of land titles to long-time residents and also low-cost housing homeowners who face foreclosures.

PM has been campaigning for a moratorium on demolitions and foreclosures in the context of the economic crisis besetting the workers and the poor.

PM joins womens’ groups in pushing House to approve RH bill

Press Release
February 16, 2011

Women members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) joined the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) in a big demonstration at the House of Representatives to push Committee on Appropriations to finally approve the budget provisions of the RH bill. Once approved, plenary deliberations of the bill will commence.

More than a thousand women, including hundreds of women workers, gathered at the South gate of the lower house from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon carrying placards and streamers with slogans calling for immediate passage of the RH bill.

PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda called on the Committee to quit stalling on the bill, “Every day of delay in the RH bill passage, eleven (11) poor working women are dying from pregnancy and birth delivery complications. It is time to put a stop to this continued ‘daily slaughter’ of women? With the passage of the RH bill, we can avoid losing 4,015 precious women’s lives per year! It has been more than a decade, almost 12 years now, with the daily average, 48,180 women’s lives could have been saved!”

Particularly for workers, Miranda explained that, “It is not true that the RH bill is purely a family planning bill. Those saying so are not being truthful. In addition to Article 134 of the Labor Code wherein employers shall provide reproductive health services to all employees, the RH bill mandates that employers shall furnish in writing the following information to all employees and applicants:

‘(a) The medical and health benefits which workers are entitled to, including maternity and paternity leave benefits and the availability of family planning services,
‘(b) The reproductive health hazards associated with work, including hazards that may affect their reproductive functions especially pregnant women, and
‘(c) The availability of health facilities for workers."

In addition, Miranda further explained that employers are likewise obliged to monitor pregnant working employees and provide them with paid half-day leaves for each month of the pregnancy period during their employment, reimbursable to either the Social Security System (SSS) or the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“These pro-worker provisions of the bill support the ‘SAFETY FIRST’ maxim in the workplace. Workers’ lives, especially women’s, are spared from pregnancy complications and work hazards,” according to Miranda. “Again, we call on our legislators to quit delaying the bill and the Catholic Church to quit confusing the people and blackmailing government officials. Kung totoong pro-life kayo, you should support the RH bill – the RH bill will save women’s lives.”

PALEA denies considering gradual outsourcing and higher separation as settlement

Press Release
February 14, 2011
PALEA

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) issued a clarification and denial that it is considering a gradual implementation of outsourcing and higher separation pay as a form of settlement of the labor dispute. “Neither management or the union proposed such ideas in the mediation meeting called by the Office of the President last Friday. And we certainly will not agree to either gradual outsourcing or higher separation or both,” stated Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and vice chair of the militant Partido ng Manggagawa.

“The only agreement reached at the mediation meeting was for Philippine Airlines (PAL) to submit its unaudited quarterly financial statements for the two quarters from April to September 2010 today. That is the only news that we were expecting to receive today, certainly not the wrong information that is coming out,” Rivera insisted.

PALEA said that they are giving Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte the benefit of the doubt whether she actually announced the alleged partial settlement of the PAL-PALEA labor dispute. A news report today by the ANC channel showed file footage of Valte while quoting her about the so-called partial settlement.

Rivera asserted that “We hope that Malacanang will issue its own clarification since such ‘wrong mistakes’ will not help the Office of the President in mediating PAL and PALEA. We made it clear in the mediation meeting that we will not agree to any outsourcing and layoff. Instead we put forward the position that the outsourcing plan can be the subject of the long-delayed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.”

PALEA flexed its muscles anew with a prayer rally last Wednesday with the theme “Stop mass layoff, Start CBA negotiations.” Some 200 PALEA members and a delegation of supporters from PM marched from the PAL Nichols gate to the Our Lady of the Airways Parish (OLAP) for a mass. The union is pushing for CBA negotiations to begin immediately and an end to the 12-year CBA moratorium.

“PALEA must remain vigilant until the CBA negotiations actually start and our mass actions serve this purpose of alerting PAL and the government that we are not complacent. CBA negotiations will be historic since it will mean the end of the dozen year moratorium,” Rivera clarified.

Last January 27, in a union and management consultative meeting, PAL President Jaime Bautista asked PALEA to submit the names of its negotiating panel so that CBA negotiations may start. PALEA had already submitted its draft CBA proposal in October 8, 2010.

Workers group warn of unrest ala Tunisia and Egypt due to rising prices

Press Release
January 30, 2011

The labor party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) today warned of unrest in the country similar to the uprisings in the Arab countries due to the rising prices of food and oil combined with worsening unemployment and poverty. “PNoy must act boldly to address the food crisis, escalating inflation and deepening hardship of Filipinos. Nobody was able to predict the explosion in the Arab region and nobody can discount unrest in the Philippines due to similar conditions of widespread desperation especially among the youth,” claimed Gerry Rivera, PM vice chair.

“The prices of rice, sugar, oil, gas and fare among others are rising thus squeezing the stagnant wages and incomes of workers and the poor. If the government will not institute price control then it must subsidize the costs of basic goods and services together with increasing wages and providing jobs,” insisted Rivera.

PM also expressed its solidarity with the unraveling uprisings in the Arab. “Filipino workers welcome the Arab world’s own version of people power. Filipino migrant workers in Egypt and other Arab countries should not fear but be inspired by these expressions of people power. If anything they must learn the lessons of these rousing risings so that the fierce winds of change blowing in the Arab world can reach the shores of the Philippines,” Rivera stated.

PM warned that while the popular uprisings in the Arab countries are directed at the corrupt dictatorships, the underlying causes are the pervasive dissatisfaction at the lack of jobs and opportunities primarily among the youth but also among workers and even the middle class. “Globalization has ravaged the Arab region as much as the Philippines. Unemployment, contractualization, retrenchment, rising prices and stagnant wages are also the norm in Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Jordan and Yemen. Everywhere the mass of the people have become poorer while only the elite have become richer under globalization,” Rivera explained.

He added “Today the unrest is expressed in the resistance of PAL workers against layoff and outsourcing. Tomorrow who knows if the struggle becomes generalized with high prices and food crisis making the lack of jobs and stagnant incomes unbearable?”

Rivera is also president of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) which is embroiled in a protracted fight with management over the planned termination of some 2,600 employees. “Like the PALEA dispute, PNoy should assume jurisdiction of the problem of prices, wages and jobs. And then his government must provide tactical solutions such as price control, government subsidies, public employment and regulation of contractualization together with strategic shifts in industrial, agricultural, economic and social policies,” Rivera insisted.

PALEA women employees picket AVE party-list representative – for sexist arrogance

PRESS RELEASE
PALEA
11 January 2011

Women and men members of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) held a picket-rally this morning at the residence of Alliance of Volunteers Educators (AVE) Party-List Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay in Greenhills. This is to protest against his unbecoming conduct when he publicly shouted sexist remarks and threatened PALEA member Sarah Bonnin Ocampo with dismissal on 17 December last year.

The group, which included Ocampo, assembled around 10:00 am in front of Club Filipino together with members of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM). PAL employee Ocampo alleges that Magsaysay threatened her with dismissal from work and of being a “menopausal bitch” in an incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport boarding area.

“We would like to seek justice for all aviation workers who are constantly experiencing disrespect and abuse from airline customers especially abusive politicians and government officials but have chosen to remain silent for fear of reprisal,” explained Ginalyn Licayan, head of PALEA’s Women Committee.

Ocampo plans to file both civil and criminal cases against the party-list representative. Despite being harassed by mysterious phone calls, she shall pursue the case with the full support of the PALEA, PM and various women groups which have expressed their indignation.

“Mr. Magsaysay represents those obnoxious politicians who shamelessly wield their positions with utmost arrogance against ordinary employees. Calling our co-employee names such as ‘menopausal bitch’ is the epitome of rudeness and sexism, totally embarrassing for a so-called ‘public servant.’ Naturingan pa siyang representante ng sektor ng edukasyon!” added Licayan.

“Government officials, especially the likes of Mr. Magsaysay should realize that workers are human beings who deserve respect. It is truly an embarrassment that a number of ‘public servants’ in our country do not know how to conduct themselves accordingly. Bagamat may patakaran ang Civil Service Commission laban sa ganitong kondukta ng mga empleyado maging ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno, they can easily get away with it. Because government itself is complacent, as if arrogance is the acceptable mark of a true blue government official, which should not be the case,” asserted PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

“We cannot continue to allow government officials to use their position in maligning workers, especially those who undermine women workers’ right to be free from discrimination and sexism,” said Licayan.

Fortune Tobacco workers oppose retrench-rehire plan, demand continuation of employment status in merged company

Press Release
November 23, 2010

The workers of Fortune Tobacco Corporation (FTC) are opposing management’s plans to retrench some 2,000 workers before possible rehiring as new employees of the merged company Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC). In a meeting between FTC management and Fortune Tobacco Labor Union (FTLU) last week, the latter was informed that older workers will be offered an early retirement plan while younger employees will be terminated and then hired as new workers in the merged company.

Arnulfo Macabutas, FTLU vice-president, said that “We demand that no worker be retrenched and instead that they be absorbed as regular employees of PMFTC with no loss in seniority, wages or benefits. The union and the collective bargaining agreement must likewise be recognized by PMFTC.”

FTLU members have been mobilizing in mass actions to press for its demand. They will be participating in “National Day of Action for Regular Jobs and Against Contractual Employment” on Thursday. Last November 10, some 500 FTLU members held a torch parade from the factory to the Concepcion Church in Marikina City. Yesterday FTC workers were set to hold prayer rally in front of the factory gates but heavy rains forced cancellation of the protest.

FTLU is basing its demand on jurisprudence that in cases of corporate mergers, there is a continuation in the employment relations from the original companies to the merger entity. “The Supreme Court has ruled that the successor company absorbs all the obligations of the original company with regards to its employees including any exclusive bargaining agent and collective bargaining agreement,” Macabutas.

Last February FTC and Philip Morris Philippines, Inc. announced the formation of the joint venture company PMFTC with a 50-50 stake from the original companies. The merger created a monopoly in the tobacco industry in the country since FTC controls 60% share of the market while PMPI has 30%.

The various labor groups that have denounced the decision of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on the mass layoff at Philippine Airlines will hold the nationwide protest to push for government regulation against contractualization. Aside from FTLU, the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) will lead the main activity at Ayala Ave. in Makati. Big labor groups that have confirmed attendance in the march along Ayala Ave. include the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Partido ng Manggagawa, Koalisyon Kontra Kontraktwalisasyon (KONTRA), Labor Alliance for Better Order and Reform (LABOR), and the Church-Labor Conference (CLC).

Rallies will also be held in other key cities like Davao, General Santos and Bacolod on November 25. In Cebu City the mass action will be held tomorrow with a labor forum at the ALU Building in the morning and then an afternoon rally at the Department of Labor and Employment office.

Mass layoff, contractualization threatens 2,380 workers of another Lucio Tan company

PRESS RELEASE
10 November 2010

Aside from the Philippine Airlines (PAL), workers of another flagship company of business tycoon Lucio Tan, the Fortune Tobacco Corporation (FTC), are getting restive as the company embarks on major reorganization which threatens the job security of its more than 2,000 workers, according to the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM).

Partido ng Manggagawa Chair and former Fortune Tobacco Labor Union (FTLU) president Renato Magtubo added that FTLU members see the threat real and forthcoming but not without resistance from one of the country’ strongest unions. A torch parade around the FTC plants and a march to Concepcion Church in Marikina City will be held at 6:00 p.m. today as a show of resistance to the threat of mass layoff and contractualization.

Magtubo said the threat on job security of FTC workers took shape February this year when FTC and Philip Morris Philippines, Inc. (PMPI) announced the formation of a joint venture company called Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation (PMFTC). Details of the merger agreement, however, remain unclear especially on the employment status of FTC workers as the management feeds the union merger information by piecemeal.

The merger, according to industry reports, created a virtual monopoly of the tobacco industry in the country. FTC controls 60% share of the market while PMPI has 30%.

But corporate mergers, acquisitions and other forms of restructuring around the world as a result of globalization were always accompanied by job losses and regression in labor standards on the part of the workers. Magtubo said bank mergers in recent past and now the outsourcing in PAL are fresh examples of how labor is forcibly made flexible to the whims of capital.

“By closely watching the recent developments in PAL, FTLU members are getting restless over the ‘general pattern’ created with PAL’s journey into the world of contractualization,” said Magtubo referring to the planned outsourcing and contractualization of the flag carrier’s non-core function recently upheld by the Labor Department.

Magtubo said the management should make a full disclosure of joint venture agreement and warns it not to resort to any kind of action that would undermine workers’ right to security of tenure, their collective bargaining agreement (CBA), and the defense of their union.