Peace, Not War: A Call for the Welfare of OFWs and the Filipino People

Photo from DMW

Middle East Conflict Fuels Oil Price Hikes, Endangers Migrants

 

Oil companies are raising prices by over P5 per liter tomorrow due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, Partido Manggagawa (PM) calls for an immediate halt to the bombings by the United States and Israel in Iran, and a ceasefire in Gaza, in defense of the safety and welfare of Filipino migrant workers and the broader public.

 

“The world needs a war against poverty not a war of aggression by Bibi and Donald. This war is not just a distant conflict—it’s a crisis that reaches our dinner tables. As war rages on, fuel prices spike, remittances decline, and working families suffer the consequences,” said Lawrence Cusipag, one of PM’s spokespersons.

 

Over 200 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have requested return from Iran and Israel following the Department of Foreign Affairs' decision to raise the situation to Alert Level 3. Yet as they return, they face an economy plagued by low wages and rising prices.

 

The latest Israeli airstrikes on Iran have intensified regional instability and come on top of Israel’s continuing attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The United States has provided unwavering military and financial support to Israel, even vetoing multiple UN ceasefire resolutions.

 

PM emphasizes that the roots of the conflict lie in long-standing imperialist interests—particularly control over oil and other natural resources in the region. History shows this same pattern in the US invasion of Iraq and the demonization of Iran's nuclear program.

 

“The real fight is not between nations, but against poverty. War benefits only the powerful; it is the workers and the poor who pay the price,” argued Cusipag.

 

PM demands the following:

 

Guarantee decent jobs and reintegration support for returning OFWs

 

Stop US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran

 

Implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians

 

Advance peace, not war

Group calls for repatriation of Filipino crew of covid-infected ship

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) called for the evacuation and repatriation of the crew of the Grand Princess ship, which includes 529 Filipinos. US authorities have only allowed passengers to disembark from the ship moored in Oakland, California, after which the Grand Princess will sail away with the 1,100 crew.

“The decision by US authorities to quarantine the crew on the Grand Princess means allowing the ship to be a petri dish and putting at risk the health and life of 1,100 workers. We demand their evacuation and repatriation to the Philippines of the Filipino crew,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

He insisted that according to the labor contract with the ship owners, workers have a right to be repatriated and the right to a safe workplace. But these rights are being violated since US authorities are preventing their evacuation from a contaminated ship. PM is thus condemning the discriminatory and racist policy of US authorities. Magtubo added that the group supports a similar demand by the labor unionists in the Bay Area.

“We likewise demand that the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs to make representation to the US authorities on behalf of the Filipino crew of the Grand Princess,” Magtubo averred.

He explained that “In contrast, both the passengers and crew of the Diamond Princess in Yokohama, Japan were evacuated and then repatriated. Although the three week period that the people in Diamond Princess was allowed to ‘quarantine’ only led to the spread of infection in the close quarters condition of a cruise ship. That mistake must not be repeated by letting the Grand Princess sail to nowhere with 1,100 crew. ”

“The 437 crew and 2 passengers of the Diamond Princess that were repatriated to the Philippines and then subsequently quarantined in a local facility were released last March 11 since they did not show any signs of infection. Another two however were positive for covid and are undergoing further quarantine,” Magtubo said.

The labor group’s call is part of its ongoing campaign for a worker-first policy regarding the employment impact of the covid epidemic. PM earlier demanded that the Labor Department issue an order mandating negotiations between management and workers before any layoffs and flexible work arrangements are implemented. The group is also asking for paid leaves and paid quarantine days.

March 14, 2020