Workers group oppose no vaccination, no ride policy

 

Photo by Grig Montegrande/Inquirer.net

The workers group Partido Manggagawa expressed its opposition to the “no vaccination, no ride” policy on public transport vehicles. “This is patent discrimination on workers and poor who rely on public transport for mobility and commuting to work,” stated Rene Magtubo, chair of the Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

The ban on unvaccinated individuals using public transport is to be implemented by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) on Monday. “In contrast, rich people—vaccinated or not—are free to move around since they have cars to use. These unfair and biased policies disproportionately impact people in the laylayan,” Magtubo insisted.

 

The group is calling on the DoTr and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to dialogue with labor groups and commuter organization so that concerns of workers and the poor will be heard and heeded. A meeting between the labor coalition Nagkaisa and the DOLE is scheduled this week on workers demands for free testing and other issues related to “balik trabahong ligtas.” The meeting has not yet transpired.

 

Magtubo pointed out that the DoTr policy is tantamount to putting unvaccinated workers on forced leave since they cannot commute to work. It also unfairly puts jeepney drivers and operators responsible for unvaccinated commuters riding the vehicles. “Has the DoTr realized the implications of their no vaxx, no ride policy? If not, it is because they do not seek to dialogue with workers and commuters’ organizations and prefer to unilaterally impose discriminatory policies,” Magtubo insisted.

 

He stated that the DoTr’s discriminatory ban on unvaccinated individuals taking public transport is a repeat of the railroading of the jeepney phaseout amid the pandemic lockdown in 2020. “The impromptu jeepney phaseout eliminated the livelihood of several hundred thousand jeepney drivers and operators at a time they needed it most. Now, it will temporarily make unvaccinated workers jobless since they cannot commute to work,” Magtubo explained.

January 13, 2022

Labor group slams firing of unvaccinated workers

 

Press Release

October 22, 2021

Partido Manggagawa

Contact Rene Magtubo @ 09178532905

 

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the opinion of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello that unvaccinated workers can be fired and their salaries withheld on the basis of an IATF resolution.

 

“While refusing unvaccinated workers to work in facilities prohibited by alert levels is a practical health measure that employers may impose, terminating them from work is a cure worse than the disease. We demand that Secretary Bello withdraw this statement,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM chair.

 

The group declared that the call to defend the jobs and wages of unvaccinated workers will be included in the demands to be raised in the motorcade tomorrow of the Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni (ALL4Leni). The ALL4Leni contingent of the “Unang Arangkada ng TROPA” will assemble by 8:00 am in the vicinity of the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City. The motorcade will start by 9:00 am and wind its way around Quezon City before turning to EDSA and converge with other groups at the People Power Monument by 11:00 am.

 

Magtubo added that “We do not agree with the interpretation of Sec. Bello that the IATF resolution on alert levels can form the legal basis for terminating employees. Said resolution on vaccination is never and should never be part of just and authorized causes for terminating employment contracts. What can be done is place our workers in the order of priority in reporting for work based on alert levels, but never that their unvaccinated status be a ground for their termination.”

 

Following their expression of full support for the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo, ALL4Leni called on their members and workers all over the country to join the “Unang Arangkada ng TROPA” this tomorrow, a nationally coordinated action calling for all sectors of society to unite and support the Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TROPA) in the May 2022 elections.

 

“TROPA will end the regime of killings and repression, and provide space for the labor movement to campaign for workers’ demands. That space is key since it is the movement that will win change,” Magtubo insisted. ###