Showing posts with label solidarity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solidarity. Show all posts

Sunday, January 4, 2026

OPPOSE IMPERIALIST AGGRESSION ON VENEZUELA


Partido Manggagawa (PM) strongly condemns Trump’s military strike and kidnapping of President Maduro, First Lady Cilia, and the larger plot of the United States to invade Venezuela to effect regime change, run the country, and retake control of Venezuelan oil.

These acts—whether undertaken directly by the US armed forces, private mercenaries, or proxy actors—represent a grave violation of national sovereignty, international law, and the right of nations and peoples to self-determination.

The use of kidnapping, military invasion, and coercive regime change as political tools exposes the political and economic logic of imperialism: powerful empires believe they can decide the fate of other nations and oppress their people, overthrow governments, and seize natural resources through force.

Venezuela’s oil belongs to the Venezuelan people, not to foreign corporations, war profiteers, or imperial powers seeking to reassert control over strategic resources.

PM rejects all forms of imperialist maneuvers including kidnappings, coups, and invasions, which only deepen instability and suffering for working people.

History has shown—again and again—that imperialist led regime-change operations elsewhere do not bring democracy or prosperity. They bring war, displacement, austerity, union repression, and the plunder of public wealth.

As a workers’ party rooted in international solidarity, PM stands with the Venezuelan working class, trade unions, peasants, and communities who bear the brunt of sanctions, militarization, and economic sabotage. We oppose unilateral actions that bypass international law and undermine peaceful, diplomatic solutions.

This issue also carries urgent lessons for the Philippines and the Global South. Imperialist intervention abroad is inseparable from regional tensions now building up in the Indo-Pacific region - with the plans by the US to increase presence by re-deploying most of its foreign forces to Asia, and forming alliances with other imperialist powers to contain the rising economic and political power of rival China.

Conflicts and wars not of our own making only lead to attacks on workers at home—through rising fuel prices, militarization, shrinking social services, and the prioritization of corporate profits over people’s needs. When oil, gas, and strategic resources are treated as prizes of war, workers everywhere pay the price.

Partido Manggagawa calls on:

               ⁃             Unconditional release of President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who is former President of the National Assmbly;

               ⁃             All governments to respect Venezuelan sovereignty and stop all military or covert intervention;

               ⁃             International bodies to uphold international law and reject regime-change operations led by the US;

               ⁃             The American people to defund Trump and the US military industry and rechannel the trillion $ war budget to expand social services;

               ⁃             Workers’ movements worldwide to oppose imperialist wars and resource plunder; and

               ⁃             The Philippine government to pursue an independent foreign policy that rejects alignment with imperial aggression.

No to US-orchestrated regime change elsewhere.

Yes to peace, sovereignty, and workers’ solidarity!

Hands off Venezuela. Oil for the people, not imperialist plunder!

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

PHILIPPINE GROUPS FORM ANTI-WAR NETWORK: Call for Permanent Ceasefire, End to Genocide in Gaza

 


 We, the Philippine groups representing various interests and advocacies, including those on human rights, labor, women, youth, urban poor, Moro and IPs, environment, and political parties, form ourselves today into NO TO WAR network in solidarity with the world’s people who are suffering from the devastating impacts of ongoing conflicts and in preventing the slide of other conflicts into new wars, including those in Asia and possibly in the Philippines.

 

As an anti-war network, we are campaigning for peace with justice and will continue to oppose the ruling establishment's inclination toward war, militarization, colonization, and destruction, both of humanity and the environment.

 

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, we join the international community in calling for a permanent ceasefire, a stop to genocide in Gaza, and an end to Israeli occupation.  Words cannot adequately convey the horrors of war being experienced by the Palestinians from the endless airstrikes and ground raids carried out by Israel. There must be a stop to this genocide and human suffering!

 

We advocate for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire because we believe this is the critical first step towards de-escalation, facilitating humanitarian aid, and creating a conducive environment for brokering negotiations and dialogues. Without a a permanent ceasefire, sparks of violence will only lead to the escalation of further violence.

 

The international community, especially the free countries within the United Nations, must step up to address the intensifying humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They should redouble their efforts to find diplomatic and political solutions to the Palestine-Israel conflict and cease support for Israel’s campaign of siege and genocide in Gaza by halting aid from the US and other western powers.

 

As a contribution to the growing peace and anti-war movement across the globe, the Philippines’ NO TO WAR network will be holding a series of activities ranging from teach-ins, physical and online fora, as well as direct actions to amplify our cause.

 

In particular, in addition to its obligation to secure Filipinos on both sides, including the safe release of the remaining Filipino hostages in Gaza, we urge the Philippine government to support the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire and the creation of free corridors for humanitarian aid. In the 1930s, when many other countries refused to take in Holocaust refugees, our nation welcomed 1,200 Jewish individuals from Shanghai, China, ensuring their safety from the genocide perpetrated by

Nazi Germany. In a similar manner, we implore the Philippine government not to abstain and, once again, to stand against genocide—this time, by calling on Israel for a permanent ceasefire.

 

On November 30, the NO TO WAR network will link up with Nagkaisa Labor Coalition in commemorating Andres Bonifacio's day. Bonifacio, alongside fellow Katipuneros and Katipuneras, led the revolutionary resistance against Spanish colonialism. Members of NO TO WAR collectively believe that the historical legacy of colonialism, occupation, and militarism has perpetuated conflicts throughout modern times. Therefore, our opposition remains against militarization and the imposition of unjust policies by foreign powers in our country.

 

NO TO WAR will also be part of the human rights community in celebrating Human Rights Week at the start of December.

 

Access photos of launching here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xdTDQQmgzbQ-4MmSiXVsy4Vi2vhoLIYy

 

NO TO WAR network is composed of the following organizations:

 

Alyansa ng Mamamayan para sa Karapatang Pantao

Amnesty International Philippines

Anak Mindanao-Youth

Bangsa

Coalition Against Human Trafficking of Women-Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)

Dakila

Federation of Free Workers

Focus on the Global South

KAGULONG

IIRE-Manila

In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (IDefend)

Laban Kababaihan

LILAK (Purple Action for Indigenous Women's Rights)

MINDANOW

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

National Federation of Labor

Partido Manggagawa (PM)

Public Services Labor Independent Confederation

Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO)

Tara Kabataan

United Filipino Service Workers

United Muslim Alliance for Development (UMA DEV)

World March of Women - Pilipinas


PRESS STATEMENT

NO TO WAR

28 November 2023

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Photo from CNN Philippines

 

Pakikiisa sa laban kontra jeepney phaseout

 

Ang nakaambang jeepney phaseout batay sa tinatawag na PUV modernization ay mauuwi sa pagkawala ng hanapbuhay ng daang libong operators at drivers. Ang planong palitan ito ng modern jeepneys sa pamamahala ng mga korporasyon ay magreresulta naman sa mas mataas na pasahe. Ito ay magpapatindi sa kahirapan ng mga Pilipino sa gitna ng hirap ng buhay na dulot walang-tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin.

 

Nakikiisa ang Partido Manggagawa sa laban ng mga kapatid na jeepney operator at driver. Sumusuporta ang PM sa nakatakdang welga na panawagan ng grupong Manibela. Nananawagan ang PM sa kasapian nito at sa mamamayang Pilipino na makikiisa labang ito.

 

Totoong may epekto ang welga sa normal na takbo ng ating buhay. Pero ito ay maliit na sakripisyo kapalit ng pananatili ng murang pasahe, at pagpapatuloy ng kabuhayan ng mga kapatid na jeepney operator at driver.

 

Alalahanin natin kung paanong nagtaasan ang singil sa tubig at kuryente matapos ang privatization at sagpangin ng mga korporasyon ang public utilities. Ganito din ang mangyayari kapag napunta sa kamay ng mga korporasyon ang mga linya at prangkisa ng mga ruta sa kalsada.

 

Walang dudang ang kasalukuyang PUV modernization ay mangangahulugan ng malawakang phaseout. Ang presyo ng modern jeeps ay lagpas P2 milyon kaya’t di kayang bayaran ng abang operators laluna’t ang pangakong government subsidy ay nasa P160,000 lang.

 

Naninindigan ang PM na dapat itransisyon ang traditional jeepneys upang mabawasan ang polusyon habang inililinaw na mga pribadong sasakyan ang hamak na mas matindi ang carbon emissions. Ang transisyon ay kailangang mauwi sa mas maalwang buhay para sa jeepney operators at drivers sa halip na kawalan ng hanapbuhay. Ang jeepney cooperatives ay tamang alternatiba sa corporations pero nangangailangan ito ng sapat na panahon at suporta. At kailangang pakinggan at dinggin ang hiling at hinaing ng jeepney operators at drivers sa isang negosasyon. Ito ang tinatawag na just transition sa gitna ng pag-aangkop sa climate change.

 

Subalit hindi mangyari ang ganitong negosasyon para sa just transition sapagkat iginiit ng gobyerno na tuloy ang PUV modernization habang inuusog ang deadline ng phaseout. Kaya tama na labanan ng jeepney strike ang pagmamatigas na ito ng gobyerno.

 

Ang laban kontra jeepney phaseout ay laban ng lahat!

Ipaglaban ang murang pasahe at kabuhayan ng jeepney operators at drivers!

 

Partido Manggagawa

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Statement on the War in Ukraine

 

No to Putin’s war in Ukraine!

No to NATO military intervention!

Humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian refugees!

Solidarity with the anti-war protests in Russia!

 

Partido Manggagawa (Workers Party-Philippines) denounces the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military and the Putin regime. There is no valid reason for Russia to invade and annex Ukraine which is a sovereign country. The alibis asserted by Putin are baseless. It thinly masks its expansionist desires and imperialist aims.

 

We support the anti-war protests in Russia against the invasion of Ukraine. It is through the development of a broad anti-war movement inside and outside Russia that peace can be achieved.

 

In this respect, we oppose the call for military intervention by Western countries under NATO against Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. A military confrontation between NATO and Russia is a recipe for disaster if not another world war. Such a scenario brings the world to the abyss of nuclear war.

 

In fact, NATO’s own expansionist aims to extend its membership eastward to Ukraine and the very borders of Russia gave Putin a convenient pretext for the invasion. Even as we condemn Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, we do not condone NATO’s expansionism. It is entirely hypocritical for Biden to slam Putin when the US has its own bloody history of direct invasion, such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Grenada, and proxy wars in Africa, and Central and Latin America.

 

We call for extending humanitarian assistance to civilian refugees from the war in Ukraine. We too support solidarity actions by trade unions and labor movements to end the war in Ukraine. The refusal of airport workers in Pisa, Italy to load arms destined for Ukraine is an exemplary action that continues the tradition of the proletarian solidarity against Israel’s occupation of Palestine and siege of Gaza.

 

In the Philippines, we work for awareness raising among organized and unorganized workers for an anti-war position on the basis of working-class internationalism.

 

Partido Manggagawa

National Executive Committee

Monday, June 18, 2018

Workers march to condemn dispersal of NutriAsia picketline, call for boycott




Some 200 workers marched this afternoon in Marilao to the strikebound condiments factory NutriAsia. Members of the Bulacan chapter of Partido Manggagawa (PM), Alyansa ng Maralitang Pilipino, the Bulacan Motorcycle Riders Confederation and a newly established labor group, Kapatiran ng mga Unyon at Samahang Manggagawa, condemned the violent dispersal of the picketline of striking workers last week. Scores of strikers were arrested and several more were wounded as police enforced a court order against the picketline.

The PM-Bulacan and Kapatiran members assembled at the corner of Pantoc and Lambakin in Marilao at 1:00 pm before proceeding to the NutriAsia factory. Members of PM-Bulacan are among the NutriAsia strikers.

“The dispersal of the NutriAsia picketline exposes the double standard of the so-called justice system and also of the present administration. A court order to allow free ingress and egress at the factory is forcibly enforced while a DOLE order to regularize workers remains unimplemented. We have an administration that promised to end endo yet police violence is inflicted upon workers fighting against contractualization,” averred Gerry Rivera, head of the Kapatiran.

The group is calling on the public to boycott products made at the factory until the workers’ demands for regularization is met. NutriAsia manufactures Datu Puti, Silver Swan, UFC Ketchup and Mang Tomas among others.

Kapatiran was formed by several unions and workers associations as a “solidarity space” for unaffiliated and federated organizations. It aims to complement ongoing labor unity efforts even as it plans to campaign for urgent labor reforms.

“We call on the police to observe the DOLE-PEZA-PNP Guidelines on the Conduct of Security Personnel During Labor Disputes. Police are not allowed to escort scabs into a strikebound factory and they should maintain a 50 meter distance from the picketline,” argued Ver Estorosas, chair of the PM-Bulacan.

Rivera called on the labor movement to close ranks in solidarity with the workers of NutriAsia and other labor struggles. He recalled that another workers strike in the Cavite export processing zone in Rosario was also harassed by security guards.

“Solidarity among workers is necessary to defend the right to peaceful concerted actions, including strike and advance the campaign against endo,” argued Rivera. Rivera is also union president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) which has waged a bitter struggle against contractualization at the national flag carrier. PALEA and Kapatiran are calling on the DOLE to expedite the release of the results of a labor inspection of PAL and its sister company PAL Express.


Partido Manggagawa-Bulacan

June 18, 2018


Friday, November 4, 2016

Advisory:Workers to march at Cavite EPZA today

MEDIA ADVISORY
November 7, 2016
Contact: Dennis Sequena @ 09301803072

Workers to march at Cavite EPZA today
WHAT: Protest march by labor groups and workers of Faremo International, a Cavite EPZA garments factory that shutdown and laidoff 1,000 workers
WHEN: Today, Monday, November 7, 2016, 8:00 am
WHERE: Main gate (Gate 1) of the Cavite ecozone, Rosario town

DETAILS:  Community groups will hold today a solidarity rally outside the main gate of the Cavite Economic Zone (EPZA). They will be joined by workers of the garments factory Faremo International Inc. who will march from the Cavite EPZA.

The workers are demanding the reopening of Faremo as they assert that the closure is just a union busting manuever and a scheme to replace regular workers with contractual or endo employees. The workers have asked management to present proof of lack of orders but Faremo has not presented any.

The Faremo workers have been on picketline for the second week. Some 1,000 workers were laidoff last October 27 as the factory shutdown and have been locked out.

Another mediation meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, November 8, to resolve the dispute surrounding the closure of the biggest garments factory at Cavite EPZA.

The union is alleging that the closure is illegal since it is meant to bust the union and destroy the CBA. Early last month, management filed for temporary closure and the union proposed work rotation to preserve jobs and prevents layoffs. Management ignored the proposal and responded with the permanent closure.

Faremo is owned by the Korean textile multinational Hansoll and supplies to global garments brands. A union was formed by workers at Faremo last year in a bid to redress grievances such a low pay, verbal abuse and lack of benefits. A collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was concluded just last May. ###

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

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



As part of an internationally coordinated series of protest actions, militants rallied at the Australian embassy today to demand that Australia establish a fair maritime border according to UNCLOS and international law. Similar to the dispute over the West Philippine Sea, East Timor is contesting claims by Australia on the oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea.PR0112
Members of Partido Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines) and Philippine Airlines Employees Association-International Transport Workers Federation held a solidarity action at the Australian embassy in Makati today to signify support for the just demand of East Timor. The protesters shouted “Australia: Don't be a bully in the Timor Sea like China in the West Philippine Sea!”
Similar actions at Australian embassies or Australian government bodies are slated in East Timor, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the US from March 22 to 24.
Just before East Timor gained independence as a country, Australia withdrew from the UNCLOS and thus there has been no maritime border fixed between the two countries except for provisional arrangements dictated by the latter.
At stake in the dispute is control over oil and resources which are currently exploited by Australia but which will lie within East Timor’s jurisdiction as per UNCLOS. East Timor demands control over the resources so it can be used for their national development.
            Among the slogans highlighted in today’s protest are:
 Hands off East Timor's oil!
 Australia: Median line now!
 Australia: Heed international law, Draw maritime border with East Timor!

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

March 22, 2016

Monday, November 18, 2013

PALEA: Message to supporters on settling outsourcing dispute

Greetings of solidarity to brothers and sisters in the labor movement!

A bit of good news from the Philippines amidst the national tragedy of the super typhoon Haiyan: Last November 14, Philippines Airlines and PALEA signed an agreement to end the long-running labor dispute over outsourcing. PALEA members will be going back to work as regular workers! Under the agreement, the PALEA members at the picketline will receive an improved separation offer and then be re-employed within three months from the date of the signing.

Resistance saved PALEA’s regular jobs. If PALEA had accepted outsourcing then its members would have become contractual workers trapped in an endless cycle of precarious jobs. Or worse they would have become unemployed in a jobless growth economy. Instead PALEA members will be returning to their regular jobs in a few months.

PALEA expresses its deep gratitude for the passionate support of the labor movement across the world to its struggle against job outsourcing and contract work. At its peak, a global day of action spanned four continents. The international solidarity not just sustained the fight but inspired PALEA to continue the struggle until victory.

Looking back at the three long years of PALEA’s fight, it is clear that the old school tactics of direct action at the workplace, the traditional picketline, labor solidarity and community support was crucial in developing the struggle. Every single instance PALEA lost the outsourcing case before government bodies and the labor courts. Yet in the end, PALEA won its demand through negotiations but drawing strength from resistance and solidarity. PALEA owes this hard-won victory to the steadfast fight of PALEA members and the fervent solidarity of workers, community and Church groups in the Philippines and abroad.

However, even as PALEA celebrates its win, the union sympathizes with the victims of typhoon Haiyan. For PALEA, the disaster is up close and personal. PALEA’s vice president grew up in the worst hit city of Tacloban and still has family living there. After a few agonizing days, he learned that they are safe though shaken. Scores of PALEA members work at the Tacloban airport which was utterly destroyed save for the runway.

PALEA’s affiliated labor party, Partido ng Manggagawa or PM, is appealing for assistance to workers and the poor who have suffered from Haiyan. PM is calling for solidarity so it could offer relief at least to its affected members and organized communities. Among them are PM members among informal drivers and the urban poor in Tacloban. Relief would complement the organizing efforts of PM on the basis of working class issues.


PALEA’s victory is the victory of all workers. PALEA believes its victory will jumpstart the revival of the labor movement in the Philippines. PALEA wishes too that its win will inspire union brothers and sisters around the worldwide. PALEA pledges its solidarity to workers fighting everywhere as it has done for comrades in Qantas and Turkish Airlines.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

PM: Battle over outsourcing at PAL over but war vs. contractualization continues

Press Release
November 14, 2013

The labor party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) congratulated the union Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) for the settlement agreement signed today with the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL).

“Kudos to PALEA officers and members for a hard fought struggle and a well deserved victory. The battle over outsourcing at PAL is over but war against contractualization continues. Workers should learn to heart the lesson of PALEA’s struggle—we can win as long as we fight well,” declared Renato Magtubo, PM national chair.

The most salient part of the settlement agreement provides for the re-employment of PALEA members to regular positions after receiving an improved separation package compared to that mandated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Office of the President (OP).

“At every single instance PALEA lost the outsourcing case before the courts and government bodies—like DOLE and OP. Yet in the end, PALEA won its demand for regular jobs through negotiations on the basis of resistance and solidarity,” Magtubo explained.

PM along with the workers coalition Nagkaisa, labor groups, community organizations and Church institutions were among PALEA’s most determined supporters. The group said that they are ending the boycott campaign launched against PAL and its sister airline Air Philippines with the formal signing of the agreement.

He added that “The return of PALEA members to their regular jobs belies the hollow argument of government officials that outsourcing is a global trend that cannot be challenged.”

Magtubo averred that “Ang panalo ng PALEA ay panalo ng lahat. We believe that PALEA’s victory will start rolling back the epidemic of contractualization and be a turning point towards the revival of the labor movement.”

PM leaders will join PALEA members in a thanksgiving mass at 5:00 pm today at the PALEA protest camp outside the PAL Inflight Center near Terminal 2. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo—among PALEA’s solid supporters in the Church—is scheduled to celebrate the mass.


The group will also be attending a victory march, program and concert on Saturday at the PALEA picketline.

PALEA back as regular workers in pact with PAL

Press Release
November 14, 2013
PALEA

The union Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) hailed a settlement agreement signed today with the management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) that provides for the re-employment of some 600 members as regular workers. In a private ceremony in a downtown hotel in Mandaluyong at noon, officers of PAL and PALEA signed the agreement.

“Resistance saved PALEA’s regular jobs. If we had accepted rather than fought the outsourcing scam implemented in 2011 then we would have become contractual workers trapped in an endless cycle of 6-month endo jobs. Or worse we would have become unemployed in this jobless growth economy. Instead we will be returning to our regular jobs in the next few months.” said Gerry Rivera, PALEA president.

The agreement provides for an improved separation package of 200% per year of service and P150,000 in gratuity pay for PALEA members. Within three months PAL shall process the applications for re-employment of PALEA members who will be given priority for hiring in regular positions.

“We owe this hard-won victory to the steadfast fight of PALEA members and the fervent solidarity of workers, community and Church groups both here and abroad. PALEA’s victory is the victory of all workers,” Rivera explained.

He added that “We thank PAL management led by President Ramon Ang for recognizing that an amicable settlement is preferable to continuing labor strife. We hope to build on this agreement and the protection of job security it provides towards rebuilding labor management relations in the flag carrier.”

At 5 pm today, hundreds of PALEA members will gather in the protest camp outside the PAL Inflight Center near Terminal 2 to hear a thanksgiving mass to be celebrated by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. Tomorrow representatives of PAL and PALEA will proceed to the other protest camp near the Mactan International Airport in Cebu to meet the concerned workers there.

Rivera noted that “We pledge to the riding public that as regular workers we can better provide quality service and safe travel. We call on our supporters to lift the boycott PAL campaign as PALEA’s demands have been substantially met.”


PALEA is planning a victory march, program and concert at the protest camp later this week. Last November 8 at the height of super tyhoon Yolanda, some 550 PALEA members out of the 600 affected, assembled and voted to ratify the draft agreement negotiated by its officers.