Group calls on DOLE to promote decent work not just healthy living in BPOs

Press Release

May 30, 2013

Inter-Call Center Association of Workers (ICCAW)

A newly formed group of call center workers called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to promote decent work in BPO’s in the face of reports of violations of labor standards in the industry.

“We welcome the Labor and Health Departments’ campaign for healthy living among BPO workers. But we also call on the DOLE to uphold decent work among call center companies as e-sweatshops are proliferating in the industry. Sweatshop conditions not just stressful work are a problem of BPO employees,” said Sylvio Dorig, spokesperson of Inter-Call Center Association of Workers (ICCAW).

ICCAW is a DOLE-registered workers association for mutual aid and protection. Dorig issued the call as a group of call center workers complained of underpayment of wages and non-payment of benefits against their former employer. Six ex-employees of the Ortigas-based E-Global International Communications Inc. owned by Mr. Eugene Go filed cases at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) last May 20 for violations of labor standards including illegal dismissal.

ICCAW is also supporting the fight of employees of Cordia Philippines, a call center based in Cebu City’s Asiatown I.T. Park. Earlier this year some 76 Cordia workers filed cases of illegal closure, non-payment of salaries and non-remittance of their mandated benefits at the Region 7 branch of the NLRC.

“We were paid only P200 a day for the five months that we worked at E-Global. Further we received no overtime pay, holiday pay, rest day premium, service incentive leave, 13^th month pay and cost of living allowance,” averred Jiaffy Domingo, one of the E-Global call center agents. Aside from Domingo, the complainants are Janice Bicera, Rissa Joy R. Ricafrente, Maricel Gatoc, Bryan Dango and Walter Dango.

Yesterday several E-Global workers trooped to the Social Security System with the assistance of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and verified that the company was not remitting deductions. A notice will be sent to E-Global to comply within a month’s time after which a case can then be filed against the company.

PM national chair Renato Magtubo averred that “A sunshine industry and dollar earning sector like the BPO should have no room for sweatshops. The DOLE must strictly regulate this fast growing industry in the interest of more than 600,000 workers since E-Global and Cordia are not the only BPO sweatshops around.”

In July last year, some 600 employees were laid off overnight when the Cebu City-based Direct Access abruptly shutdown. After a few months of protests, the Direct Access workers got their money claims and separation pay. As a result of that labor dispute, ICCAW was formed to be “a voice for BPO workers regarding specific grievances and general concerns.”

Workers complain of BPO sweatshop

Press Release

May 29, 2013

A group of call center workers are complaining of underpayment of wages and non-payment of benefits against their former employer which they have lambasted as a “BPO sweatshop.” Six ex-employees of the Ortigas-based E-Global International Communications, Inc. filed cases at the National Labor Relations Commission last May 20 for violations of labor standards including illegal dismissal.

Jiaffy Domingo, one of the call center agents, declared that “We were paid only P200 a day for the five months that we worked at E-Global. Further we received no overtime pay, holiday pay, rest day premium, service incentive leave, 13^th month pay and cost of living allowance.” The statutory minimum wage in Metro Manila stands at P456. Aside from Domingo, the complainants are Janice Bicera, Rissa Joy R. Ricafrente, Maricel Gatoc, Bryan Dango and Walter Dango. The last three worked for around two months in the company before all six were illegally dismissed in February this year.

Today several of the E-Global workers are filing cases at the Social Security System with the assistance of the militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PM). PM national chair Renato Magtubo averred that “E-Global is evidently an e-sweatshop no different from the abusive conditions in an illicit garments subcontractor, for example. A sunshine industry and dollar earning sector like the BPO should have no room for sweatshops. It behooves the Department of Labor and Employment to strictly regulate this fast growing industry in the interest of more than 600,000 workers since E-Global is not the only BPO sweatshop around.”

According to its website (http://eglobalcom-inc.com/about.html), E-Global’s President and CEO is Eugene C. Go and is a subsidiary of the American TESOL Institute in the Philippines, “operating and serving its call center requirements and providing the highest quality BPO provisions.” Its corporate address is the prestigious Suite 701, Pacific Center Building, No. 33 San Miguel Aveneue, Ortigas Business Center in Pasig City.

In Cebu, PM had helped workers who have fallen victim to illegal terminations by similar BPO sweatshops and fly-by-night call centers. In July last year, some 600 employees were laid off overnight when their employer, the Cebu City IT Park Asiatown-based Direct Access, abruptly shutdown. After a few months of protests, the Direct Access workers got their money claims and separation pay.

As a result of the labor disputes in Cebu, the Inter-Call Center Association of Workers (ICCAW) was formed as an organization for mutual aid and protection and to represent members regarding specific grievances and general concerns.

Labor group asks Taiwan government to ensure safety and job security of Filipino workers

PRESS RELEASE

22 May 2013

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 A Philippine labor group, on Wednesday, called on the Taiwanese government to ensure the safety and job security of thousands of Filipinos working in Taiwan. 

In a picket held at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City, the Partido ng Manggagawa (Labor Party-Philippines) likewise appealed to the Taiwanese people to refrain from using violence against Filipino workers who have nothing to do with the current diplomatic row between the two countries over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman off the Balintang channel last May 9.

“We appeal to both the Taiwanese and Philippine governments to solve their diplomatic row not at the expense of our OFWs.  Pending the result of investigations and the satisfaction of Taiwan’s demand for justice for fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, the safety and job security of Filipino workers in Taiwan must also be ensured as they face actual physical violence and threats of job loss,” stated Partido ng Manggagawa spokesperson Wilson Fortaleza.

Fortaleza said President Ma Ying-jeou’s order to freeze the hiring of Filipinos and a veiled threat of expulsion against the 87,000 OFWs currently working in Taiwan are both unfair and unjust.

“As workers, we are likewise interested in seeing justice served finally to fellow worker Hung and we won’t condone failure or inaction on the part of the Philippine government.  But the quest of justice for Mr. Hung should not lead to unjust actions of fury against thousands of Filipinos in Taiwan,” said Fortaleza.

The labor party reiterated that migrant workers and their families are protected by international conventions (International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families) as migrants’ rights are human rights. 

Migrants have the right to equal protection, non-discrimination, to work in safe working conditions and to be protected against unjust dismissal.

Media Advisory: Picket at Taiwan Embassy

LIBO-LIBONG RIDERS MINARKAHAN ANG MAY 12 BILANG ARAW NG KARAPATAN NG MGA RIDERS

PRESS RELEASE

12 May 2013

Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) 

Upang ipakita ang malaking pwersa ng mga tumututol sa panukalang pag-oobliga sa mga riders na magsuot ng “Vest with Plate Number” sa Lungsod ng Quezon, libu-libong mga riders ang nagsagawa ng motorcade protest sa pangunguna ng Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) at Motorcycle Advocates of the Philippines (MAP).

Ayon kay Jobert Bolanos, Tagapangulo ng MRO, “Ang naturang panukala ay “Undue Profiling” at labag sa karapatang pantao”.  “Naniniwala kami na ang pag-oobliga sa mga rider na pagsusuot ng vest na may plate number ay hindi totoong makakapagbigay ng solusyon sa lumalalang poblema ng kriminalidad, bagkus ay makakatulong pa nga ito na makaligtas ang isang kriminal na makatakas sa kanyang ginawa sa pamamagitan ng simpleng pagpapalit lamang nito ng vest”. Dagdag pa niya.

Bukod sa MRO, nakiisa din sa naturang aktibidad ang iba’t ibang mga rider’s clubs at federations sa NCR, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas at iba pang lugar. Nakiisa din ang mga grupo ng manggagawa sa mula sa Partido ng Manggagawa(PM), Alliance of Progressive Labor(APL), Worker’s Solidarity Network (WSN), Sentro ng Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), National Union of Hotel Workers, Restaurants and Allied Services (NUHWRAIN), Philippine Airlines employees Association (PALEA) atbp. Bukod sa mga riders, sinuportahan din ng Motorcycle Dealers Association of the Philippines (MDAP), Underbone and Scooter Racing Association (USRA), National Racing Association (NRA) at Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) na grupo ng mga manufacturers.  

“Imbes na aksayahin ng gubyerno ang pondo ng bayan sa mga walang kuwentang mga panukala, mas nanaisin naming makita ang kapulisan na seryosong tumugon sa problema ng kriminalidad tulad ng pag-oorganisa at pagbuhay sa mga “community crime watch”, pagpapataas ng police visibility at higit sa lahat paglilinis ng sarili nitong bakuran laban sa mga scalawags sa kanilang hanay na mismong kapural ng mga organisadong krimen at paglabag sa karapatang pantao.” dagdag pa ni Bolanos.

Nagsimulang magtipun-tipon ang mga rider’s sa kahabaan ng White Plains Avenue sa Quezon City at nagsagawa ng maikling programa sa tapat ng People Power Monument. Pagkatapos ay binaybay nila ang kahabaan ng EDSA, East Avenue at Pinalibutan ng libu-libung motorsiklo ang Quezon City Circle. Pansamantala nilang hinintuan ang tapat ng City Hall upang magsagawa ng maikling programa at pinangunahan ng mga manggagawa ang pagsususnog ng replika ng vest na may plate number sa likod bilang simbolo na ang 95% ng mga motorista ay mga manggagawa ay matndi ang pagtutol at pagkondena sa naturang panukala.

Nagpatuloy ang motorcade sa kahabaan ng Commonwealth Avenue at bumalik sa EDSA upang magsagawa ng maikling programa sa tapat ng Camp Crame (PNP General Headquarters) upang ipaabot ang kanilang pagtutol sa punong himpilan ng pulisya. Dito ay muli silang nagsunog ng replika ng vest with plate number.  Ang naturang motorcade ay bumalik sa White Plains upang magsagawa ng pangwakas na programa.

“Isa lang kung paiikliin ang mensahe ng makasaysayang motorcade na ito, ANG MGA RIDERS AY HINDI KRIMINAL AT KAMI AY MGA ORDINARYONG MANGGAGAWANG NAGPAPATULO NG PAWIS PARA MABUHAY SAMPU NG AMING MGA PAMILYA.  Kaya’t huwag naman sana nilang tapakan ang aming karapatan at dignidad sa pamamagitan ng pag iimplementa ng mga ganitong klaseng mga patakaran.  Ipinakita ng higanteng motorcade na ito ang tunay naming puwersa na kumakatawan sa mahigit apat na milyong riders sa buong bansa, puwersang hindi dapat bale walain ng gubyerno at ninuman, pagtatapos ni Bolanos.

PAHAYAG NG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO PARA SA KARAPATAN NG MGA RIDERS

HINDI KAMI KRIMINAL!

Kami ay mga manggagawa na nagpapatulo ng pawis at at dugo para lamang mabuhay, sampu ng aming pamilya. Kami ay nabubuhay ng malinis at may dignidad. Kami ang 95 porsyento ng mga mananakay ng motorsiklo na laman ng kalsada sa araw-araw, gamit namin ang aming motorsiklo upang makapasok sa trabaho.

Nagmotor kami hindi para gumawa ng kalokohan o krimen, kumuha kami ng motor dahil nais naming makatipid sa pamasahe at gastusin sa araw-araw. Kahit hulugan ito ay tinatayga namin itong bayaran buwan-buwan upang makaiwas sa traffic nating kalsada at makatipid sa oras na siya namang mailalaaan sa aming mga mahal sa buhay pagkatapos ng mahabang araw ng pagtatrabaho.

Kaya’t panawagan naming mga manggagawa, huwag niyo kaming iturin na kriminal! Huwag niyo sa amin ipapasan ang kakulangan ninyong mga autoridad sa pagresolba sa lumalalang krimen sa ating bansa. Sapagkat kami man ay biktima nito.  Nais din namin na maresolba ang problema ng krimen ngunit hindi sa pamamagitan ng panukala ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Quezon City at ng Pulisya na pagsuutin kami ng “Vest na may Plate Number” na malinaw na paglabag sa aming karapatan. Ang panukalang ito ay hindi mapag-iiba sa ginawa ni Hitler nang tatakan niya ng numero ang mga hudyo noong kanyang panahon. Ito ay malinaw na “UNDUE PROFILING”.

Ito ang aming panawagan na kabalikat ang mga miyembro ng Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) at iba pang mga grupo. Simula sa araw na ito, ang aming puwersa, ang puwersa ng manggagawang pilipino ay patuloy na makikipagkapit bisig sa lahat ng mga mananakay ng motorsiklo na ang nais ay ipagtanggol ang ating karapatan at dignidad. Walang Iwanan hanggang makamit ang katarungan, kapayapaan at pagkakapantay-pantay!

Markahan natin ang araw na ito, na sa unang pagkakataon sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa, sumigaw at lumahok ang mga manggagawa sa laban ng mga mananakay ng motorsiklo.  Sapagkat ANG LABAN NG MGA RIDERS PARA SA KARAPATAN AY LABAN NG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO!

Nilagdaan:

Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)

Alliance of Progressive Labor(APL)

 Worker’s Solidarity Network (WSN)

Sentro ng Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO),

National Union of Hotel Workers, Restaurants and Allied Services (NUHWRAIN)

 Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA)

Uphold RH law, best gift for Mother’s Day – PM

PRESS RELEASE

7 May 2013

  

The Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) joined RH leaders and advocates from the Purple Ribbon for RH to a rally at the Supreme Court, Padre Faura, Manila.   In commemoration of Mothers’ Day on Sunday, May 12, PM and women’s groups called on the SC justices to heed the call of mothers and uphold the RH law (RA 10354). 

“Ang pagkaantala ng implementasyon ng RH law ay patuloy na nagiging mitsa ng buhay ng maraming inang Pilipino.  Nananawagan ang PM sa ating Supreme Court justices na maging bukas sa matagal nang hinaing ng kababaihan para sa RH, lalung-lalo na ng mga ina.  Upholding the RH law is the best gift our SC justices could give to millions of Filipino mothers this Mothers’ Day,” asserted PM Secretary-General Judy Ann Miranda.

Eleven (11) deaths of women daily attributed to pregnancy and childbirth complications have increased over the past decade.  The passage of the RH law, if immediately implemented, would have stepped up the efforts to address the problem.  The status quo ante issued by the Supreme Court has stalled said process.

PM reiterated that the lives of women should be the utmost concern in the decision of the Supreme Court on the RH law rather than the Catholic Church’s disagreement that is not based on the real needs of women, especially poor and working women.

Protest not celebration in response to PNoy’s rebuff—Partido ng Manggagawa

Press Release

May 1, 2013

Protest not celebration is the theme of the Labor Day commemoration today. Workers groups are dismayed over President Benigno Aquino III’s rebuff of their demands in a dialogue yesterday.

“Insults instead of non-wage benefits were announced by PNoy in the dialogue. Workers still have received nothing significant from PNoy after three Labor Days. Sa ikatlong Mayo Uno ni PNoy, bokya pa rin ang mga manggagawa,” declared Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) chair.

Hours after the dialogue, more than a hundred PM members staged a vigil at Mendiola in response to President Aquino’s rejection of labor concerns. Today several thousand PM members are joining the 25-strong mobilization of the labor coalition Nagkaisa. The rallyists will assemble across the length of Espana from Welcome Rotonda to Ramon Magsaysay and then proceed to Mendiola for the Labor Day program that will last up to noon.

PM members will push the slogan “Manggagawa Naman” as they demand that workers’ issues be a priority in the national agenda. In particular PM is advancing its “Apat na Dapat” set of concerns which are regular jobs with living wages; housing, education and health care services for all; cheaper prices of food and utilities; and equal rights and opportunity for women.

“We want the mandates of the Constitution—living wages and full employment—to be implemented by the State,” Magtubo argued. PM criticized the non-wage benefits as “scraps meant for slaves” and insisted that workers are “not children that can be pacified with candy.” The group also slammed the job fairs slated today as a “farce.”

The Labor Day protests are nationwide in scope. In Cebu, thousands of PM members will unite with the Nagkaisa contingent for a 7,000-strong rally from downtown Colon to Fuente Osmena. Meanwhile in Bacolod, PM will merge with the labor coalition GAWA for a rally at the downtown area. In Iloilo, PM will have an assembly of construction workers and then initiate a march to Plaza Letogay. In Davao, PM and Nagkaisa will have a joint protest at Orcullo Park. Finally in Iligan, PM will link up with a labor unity rally at the public park.

Several hundred members of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) will also attend the Labor Day rally. Yesterday they laid wreaths at the foot of Mendiola for Bienvenido Ruiz, an outsourced Philippine Airlines worker who died of a stroke last Sunday. “The martyrdom of Bien Ruiz, Antonio Enero, Danny Hernandez, Alfredo Limana and Arturo Estrada—who all died during the pendency our struggle against outsourcing—embolden us to fight until victory so that their deaths will not be in vain,” insisted Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair.