The sickening first response of government to disaster

THE SICKENING FIRST RESPONSE OF GOVERNMENT TO DISASTER

     Typhoon Haiyan is perhaps the most devastating weather event to ever hit land. More than 10,000 people have been killed, and the full details are still very much uncertain. The Philippines has had more than its share of natural disasters - and man-made ones as well. What I find particularly disturbing and unfortunately quite typical is the first priority of the Philippine government to the events. As quoted in today's report in Al Jazeera the President of the country used a photo-op visit to one of the areas affected to make the following "promise".

     "We have around 300 policemen and soldiers who can rotate and restore peace here. Later tonight there will be several armoured vehicles from our army arriving to show the strength of the state and stop those who started the looting here"

     Full stop ! This is not the abnormal reaction of some Third World state. The pattern was the same in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the USA. To a government the first thing that it cares about is its own ability to rule. Secondly it cares about the property of the favoured classes. Humanitarian concerns rank a distant third.

     In the aftermath of natural disasters the initiative of people on the ground and in nearby areas is far more important in relief than state-sponsored "help". This has been shown over and over. The statement from the Philippine President shows what the state is most concerned with. The so-called "looting" is an absolute necessity for people faced with hunger and other needs in the wake of tragedies. The first concern of the government is to hinder their ability to survive and to command that they will have to wait for the fullness of time when authority sanctioned aid may or may not arrive. The forces of authority will, however, arrive in a timely fashion.

     The savage nature of government is laid open for all to see by such statements and actions.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR- THE PHILIPPINES:

TRIUMPH WORKERS EJECTED FROM PROTEST CAMP:

Since their dismissal last summer workers at the Triumph garment factories in the Philippines have kept up the struggle for decent severance pay against the company. Last May 4 company goons and government thugs came to violently evict them from their protest camp and picket lines. During this time of what is an actual blockade of the factories the workers have prevented Triumph from removing moveable items from the buildings. They have also set up their own production in the protest camp with donated sewing machines and have recently applied to the Department of Labour and Employment for support in starting a producers' co-op for those dismissed. Here's the story of the latest attack by the bosses and the state and the appeal for solidarity with these workers from the Clean Clothes Campaign.

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Filipino Triumph Workers Violently Evicted from Picket

On the 4th of May, the Triumph workers in the Philippines were violently evicted from their picket line. More than 200 security forces invaded the former factory grounds, removed the protesting workers and destroyed their action camp. Take action now to support these workers!


The workers have set up another picket line further down the street, continuing their protest against their dismissals since summer 2009.

Write to the Philippine authorities today to call on them to immediately stop further harassment!

Take action now! >> Background >>



An eyewitness account by: Isabelita dela Cruz
May 8, 2010
Dear everyone,

From the workers of Triumph Philippines our solidarity greetings to all.

I would like to make a quick update on the workers situation in the picket line. To date there is an intense operation to totally smashed down our makeshift tent and give up our call for humane livelihood and social justice, by the combined forces of the Taguig PNP, Barangay Security Forces of Western Bicutan, FTI maintenance personnel, Nationwide Security Agency, this is by the directive of Pasig Regional Trial Court sheriff Mario Silvestre and hands of Triumph management.



On May 4, 2010 at around 8 in the morning a total of more than 200 dispersal team arrived in the picket and in a matter of 10 minutes they totally wrecked and smashed down our temporary shelter and livelihood in the picket, they leave us nothing but a horrible and painful experience and casualties. They treated us like criminals and dragged us outside from our Union office, the union files, equipment, and personal things of the workers inside the office was thrown out and put everything like a garbage in a corner of the street. They put an iron sheet barricades guarded by about 50 security guards of Nationwide Security Agency hired by Triumph under the supervision of FTI administration and their President Atty. Ma. Theresa Pinto. About (13) thirteen workers was trapped inside this barricades ( eight (8) at the back entrance of Triumph building were our office is located and five (5) union members in front entrance a more than 1 kilometer Triumph building. Outside the barricades of the front and back entrance of the building other union members are crying but with determination to put up again another makeshift tent at the height of 37 degrees sunlight, where in security forces trying to put all effort to prevent us from erecting another makeshift tent. But with the determination and anger of the workers and our supporters they succeeded to put another shelter of the workers. In front entrance where our livelihood was put up, five sewing machines, scrap materials and textile that we are using in rags , doormats and summer collection making was also thrown out at the corner of the street inside the iron sheet barricades.

Several numbers of vehicle heavily tinted and one anonymous and suspicious man riding in a motorcycle was roving around the vicinity of our picket outside. According to the workers who managed to notice the incident, that this man looks like referring a picture from his cell phone while looking at them. The husband of one union member manages to come closer to this man and notice a gun at his waist but immediately escape from the scene.

May 6 at around 11 in the morning while we are holding consultation with the workers in the makeshift tent 20 policemen of Taguig PNP arrived in the picket they handed their shield to 50 security guards and put a barricade at the street to prevent us from coming closer at the back entrance, and then a shuttle bus was fast approaching and manages to quickly enter the back entrance of the building. The bus loaded with barangay security personnel, Triumph HR personnel, the General Manager of FTI Leasing Department along with the janitorial personnel hired by Triumph and other managerial employees enter the building. After three hours of packing in several big boxes and about hundreds of folders, they loaded it to the bus and escorted by PNP police leave the building, about (15) fifteen minutes the bus went back along with three vehicle escorted by PNP enter again and loaded all the packed materials and equipment and leave the area.

We were shocked by the fast movement of the traitors, I manage to talk with the policemen as well as the General Manager of FTI and according to him they will pull out workers personal belongings, so that they can move freely to eject the remaining movable equipment inside the Triumph building. He said that these personal belongings are the hindrance why they cannot pull out the equipment for they are afraid that if the workers claim the lost of their personal things, they will be accountable for that.
May 7, again we notice that about 30 security guards was deployed in front and back entrance in addition to the already assigned in the area a total of about 50 security and when we check out there were several numbers of policemen roving, so I decided to get the megaphone ride in motorcycle and roved around the FTI while shouting a protest statement. It did help because they were intimidated in their intention to assembly and enter again in the building, and afterwards they leave the area.
At around 10 in the morning on the same day representative from the Department of Labor and Employment came to check if the report of violent dispersal is true and look at the extent of casualties. According to him he will immediately report it to his boss and will recommend and request for a dialogue with Triumph management. With the effort of Congressman Rafael Mariano Under Secretary of DOLE Usec Linda Baldoz set for a meeting with Triumph management on May 13, 2010.

Until now we are still under threat to be dispersed violently, because FTI administration is threatening to forcefully eject remaining equipment, machines and other movable materials inside the former Triumph building. We are leaving now in a more miserable and desperate situation in the picket line. Union files and documents are scattered in the corner of the street.

We appeal to everyone to support us in our struggle, to find justice and condemned the perpetrators on the casualties of the violent dispersal in our picket. We are also in need for financial support in looking for a place and center where we can pick and arrange the pieces of our damaged equipment and files, specially the machines that we are using for our livelihood.

Again on behalf of the Triumph workers in the Philippines and our union thank you so much.
Long Live International Solidarity.

For the workers of Triumph,
Isabelita dela Cruz
Union President
Write to the Philippine authorities today!
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THE LETTER:

Please go to this link to send the following letter to Philippino authorities.
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT-PHILIPPINES
Secretary Marianito Roque
Email: roquemd@dole.gov.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Food Terminal Incorporated
Vice-Chairman/President : Maria Theresa A. Pinto
Email: taspinto33@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TAGUIG CITY HALL
Mayor Freddie Tinga
Email: FT@taguig.gov.ph This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

cc.Triumph International

Dear Madam/Sir,

I write to you today to express my serious concerns about the unresolved labour dispute between Triumph International and the former Triumph workers in Taguig City, who were dismissed in July 2009.

I learned that on May 4, 2010, more than 200 armed security forces entered the former Triumph International factory to evict the Triumph workers who have been protesting against their dismissals since summer 2009. They harassed and injured workers, destroyed picket tents and threw out office material. Moreover, I understand that in addition to the restraining order, the Food Terminal demands 7 million pesos for exemplary damages (approximately 117.000 euros), which includes 1.5 million pesos per month from January on.

The Triumph workers have been protesting for more than 10 months against Triumph International’s failure to follow international labour standards on union rights and massive retrenchments. An OECD complaint is currently taken up by the Swiss National Contact Point for the OECD guidelines. I also learned that meetings chaired by the National Mediation Conciliatory Board have not resulted in any favourable outcome due to Triumph’s refusal to credibly negotiate with the union. The Triumph workers are organised in the Bagong Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Triumph International union (BPMTI).

I call upon you to support the Triumph workers' struggle for a just compensation for their years in service of the multinational, and for respect of their workers' and union rights. In particular I urge you to:

•stop further harassment of the peacefully protesting workers,
•refrain from implementing the temporary restraining order issued on April 23,
•provide support to the former Triumph workers to establish a workers' cooperation at the former Triumph factory.

Yours sincerely,

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-PHILIPPINES:

SOLIDARITY WITH PHILIPPINE WORKERS:

The following appeal for solidarity in two different labour disputes in the Philippines comes from the Maquila Solidarity Network.

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Take action on Philippines labour rights abuses‏
Last fall, a high-level International Labour Organization (ILO) mission went to the Philippines to investigate “serious allegations of the murder of trade unionists, death threats, arrests of trade union leaders in connection with their trade union activities, widespread impunity relating to violence against trade unionists and the militarization of workplaces in export processing zones (EPZs) and special economic zones”. Their report is due to be released next month.

Unfortunately, violence and judicial persecution of trade union leaders and activists is continuing. Below, we urge you to support workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining by taking part in two action campaigns by labour and human rights promoters that highlight the continuing pattern of abuse of worker rights in the Philippines.

Karnation Industries:

Twenty workers at Karnation Industries were arrested during a 2007 strike against the illegal dismissal of union members, the non-payment of holiday pay and night bonuses, as well as a salary that was only half of the minimum wage at the time. They have spent two and a half years in prison, during which time two workers died from tuberculosis contracted since their incarceration. 14 workers were temporarily released on bail in November of 2009. Four of the workers remain in prison. All of the surviving workers are still facing charges, and the company has filed a motion to reverse the bail decision and return all of the workers to prison. Join the Asia Human Rights Committee in protesting the continuing judicial persecution of the Karnation 20 here.

Dole Food Company:

Managers at a Dole pineapple plantation in the Philippines have worked with the military on an intimidation campaign against an independent workers’ union and their democratically elected union leaders for the past four years. Workers who met recently with an International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) representative have been fired or suspended. Join the ILRF in protecting the rights of Dole workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining here.

Thank you for joining with the Maquila Solidarity Network in supporting the continuing efforts of labour and human rights workers on the ground.

--Maquila Solidarity Network

606 Shaw St.

Toronto, ON

M6G 3L6

Canada

416 532-8584

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:

JUSTICE FOR DOLE PLANTATION WORKERS:

The following story and appeal for solidarity with workers at Dole Plantations in the Philippines comes from the International Labour Rights Forum

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Urgent Solidarity for Dole Workers in the Philippines!:
Workers in the Philippines are just like workers here in the U.S. who want a decent job so that they can provide for their families. Just two weeks ago ILRF staffer Brian Campbell sat down with some unionized workers in the Philippines to learn more about recent change on a Dole plantation there.

Unfortunately what we found out is that things have gotten worse for workers there and especially those workers that have chosen to be part of the independent union. Even more shocking we learned that some of the workers that Brian met with may have been suspended or fired from their jobs within hours of meeting with him.

As ILRF has highlighted in our past two reports on the worst global corporations for recognizing the right of workers to organize, Dole has frequently violated freedom of association. These latest incidents are part of a disturbing pattern of abuse. It's time to tell Dole that this behavior is unacceptable and must end now.

Please join us in expressing your urgent solidarity with union leaders at Dole Philippines.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to this link to send the following letter to the managers of Dole Plantations.

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I am outraged to learn about recent violations of workers' freedom of association at your pineapple facility in the Philippines.

It is clear that Dole Philippines must immediately change the way in which it engages and negotiates with the union AK-NAFLU-KMU in order to develop a more productive relationship between workers and management. This breakdown in industrial relations at Dole Philippines came as a direct result of the meeting between Kevin Davis, Robert Buranday and military operatives in the Philippines in 2006 where Mr. Davis and Mr. Buranday began working with the military to defeat the workers' democratically elected union AK-NAFLU-KMU at Dole Philippines.

The abuses of trade union rights are unacceptable and must be immediately addressed.
I call on you to take the following actions:
1) Dismiss Dole Philippines managers Kevin Davis and Robert Buranday immediately for working with the military and UR-Dole to conduct an intimidation campaign against the workers and their democratically elected union leaders for the past four years.
2) Cease all support of UR-Dole and denounce its efforts to campaigns against the union AK-NAFLU-KMU.
3) Recognize Jose Teruel and union officers of the independent union AK-NAFLU-KMU at Dole Philippines.
4) Stop violating the collective bargaining agreement and the law and provide all workers the full benefits and protections they workers' have earned.
5) End the growing use of labor-only contracting and ensure all workers enjoy the right to security of tenure.
6) Immediately review all Dole owned facilities and subcontractors for their adherence to international labor standards especially freedom of association as defined by the International Labor Organization.

I look forward to your urgent attention to these critical issues at Dole Philippines and throughout Dole's supply chain.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THAILAND/THE PHILIPPINES:

SUPPORT TRIUMPH WORKERS IN EAST ASIA:

The following appeal to support workers faced by layoffs by the Triumph multinational comes from the Clean Clothes Campaign.

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'Triumph' dismissals in Asia attempt to get rid of unions.:
Triumph workers in Bangkok demonstrated earlier this month against the planned close down of their factory by throwing bras in the air in front of the District labour office.Lingerie producer blames global recession for factory closures.

The German/Swiss lingerie multinational Triumph seems to use the pretext of the global economic recession to close down factories in the Philippines and Thailand. A number of these closures are irregular.

On June 29, Triumph's producer in Thailand, Body Fashion Thailand, announced that around half of its 4200 workers would be out of their jobs by the end of August. Earlier this year, another Thai Triumph producer, Worldwell Garment Company, was closed down on Labour Day (May 1), and the entire work force sent home without their last salaries or the legally-required severance compensations.

In the Philippines, 1660 garment workers will loose their jobs by the end of August when Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. will close down. Neither in Thailand nor in the Philippines did the Triumph management conduct timely and transparent negotiations with the factory workers' unions as required by international labour standards.

Support these Thai and Filipino workers in their struggle. Send letters to Triumph's headquarters in Switzerland today and forward this message to your friends. Your actions will make a difference!
Take action now!

BACKGROUND
Triumph cites the global recession as a major reason for downscaling their production. It is clear, however, that Triumph's actions are aimed at hampering the unions in their factories. They are closing those departments and those factories where the unions are strongest. At the same time, they are expanding a new factory in northern Thailand.

Workers unions in Thailand and the Philippines have been organizing picket lines and other forms of peaceful protest against these dishonest practises. We demand from Triumph International that they pursue any major restructuring of their factory operations in cooperation with the established factory unions, rescind the dismissals, disclose the full information that led to the planned retrenchments and closures, generally operate in line with ILO core conventions as well as the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Triumph has a history of ignoring labour-rights violations in the Asian factories where they outsource the production of their luxury lifestyle products. Last year, the Swiss multinational was accused of harassing union leaders in the same factories: see www.cleanclothes.org/triumph-union-continues-fight-for-fairness

In 2002, Triumph was also one of the last international firms to withdraw production from Burma (Myanmar). The Burmese military government has been accused of gross political repression and massive human rights violations.

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THE LETTER:

Please go to the link cited above to send the following letter to Triumph management.

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Dear Mr. Spiesshofer,

Re. Triumph's reduction plans in the The Philippines and Thailand.

Through the Clean Clothes Campaign I learned about Triumph International's intention to considerably reduce the workforce at its subsidiary Body Fashion Thailand (BFT) as well as in the Triumph International (Philippines) Ltd. and Star Performance Inc. factories in the Philippines.

I also read that these retrenchments and other major restructurings were done without proper consultation with the workers' unions. The fact that the management did not engage in open and timely negotiations with the union prior to the planned dismissals is a breach of the international standards such as the ILO convention 158 and the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

I am also concerned about signs of union-busting in Triumph International's reduction plans since Triumph International seems to primarily reduce the workforce in unionised factories. In my opinion these moves could be interpreted as anti-union acts and as such could be considered as breaches of Triumph International's Code of Conduct, ILO core conventions and the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises.

I was further informed that another Thai factory that produced for Triumph International, Worldwell Garment Company Ltd., was closed down in May this year and the workers have not yet received their last salaries and their full severance compensation fees that they are legally entitled to.

I am writing to you to express my serious concern about these practises. I urge you as the responsible CEO on behalf of Triumph International to intervene at your subsidiaries and to use your influence at the factories where Triumph International has been outsourcing the production in order to guarantee that the unions and workers are treated fairly.

I request you to:
***present full documentation to TITLU and the Triumph workers union in the Philippines, BPMTI, on why Triumph International has opted for the current plan to reduce the workforce in the said factories.
***restart the process of reduction of the workforce in close co-operation with TITLU and BPMTI and in accordance with current CBA, the ILO-conventions, as well as the OECD guidelines.

Keenly awaiting your response and action on these matters,

Yours sincerely,

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-PHILIPPINES/CANADA:

CANADIAN TOUR OF FILIPINO LABOUR ACTIVISTS:

The following item is from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), and it's about a country wide tour of Filipino labour activists sponsored by CUPE's Global Justice Fund.

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Philippines ‘another Colombia’ for murdered union activists:
BURNABY—Thanks to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement, not to mention CUPE’s international solidarity projects over the years, most union members today are well aware of the climate of fear and intimidation that haunts every union activist in the South American country.

But human rights abuses, including the murder or disappearance of trade union leaders, may be just as bad—or even worse—in the Philippines, according to a leading Filipino union activist who is touring Canada this month.

Antonio Tinio, national chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), paid a visit to CUPE’s B.C. regional office on Monday, May 11 to share his experiences with CUPE members and staff. Tinio, and another Filipino union activist scheduled to arrive in B.C. on May 14, were on a national tour sponsored by CUPE National’s Global Justice fund.

Privatization gone mad

The portrait Tinio painted of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration was one of unbridled privatization in which Filipino workers’ rights are trampled for the sake of maximum foreign investment.

The struggle is especially desperate in the education sector, where tuition fees at the University of the Philippines went up 300 per cent last year alone.

“The slashing of higher education budgets for universities and colleges, and the outsourcing of such services as security, janitorial and food, has been a trend since the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s,” Tinio told the CUPE gathering.

“This period has seen the linking of universities with big corporations. The U of P has leased a lot of land to corporations, and we’re seeing a lot of call centres and business outsourcing within the campus.”

In response to Arroyo’s freeze of school teachers’ wages, union activists are also campaigning to raise those salaries by 75 per cent over three years.

A policy drenched in blood

Between 2001, when Arroyo first came to power, and March 2009, 1,009 unionists and activists have been killed, while another 204 have been victims of “involuntary disappearances,” said Tinio.

“The activists who have been killed come from organized labour, peasant organizations, women, human rights, students, teachers, and other professional organizations.”

The ACT leader said that Arroyo regime has failed to institute substantive reforms recommended two years ago by United Nations’ special rapporteur Philip Alston to put a stop to extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

This verdict was released just a few days ago by Alston himself, providing an update.

Alston’s 2007 report concluded that activists were being targeted by the nation’s military forces.The deaths of three ACT members since the mid-decade have been particularly chilling. One woman, a college professor, was stabbed in 2005, while a male teacher was shot by masked gunmen in 2006 as he was walking home from school. In 2007, a teacher was shot dead in front of his students.

In another case, a 22-year-old substitute teacher was shot dead because she was believed to be the daughter of a rebel leader.

International support makes a difference

Notwithstanding the lack of political reform, Tinio told the CUPE gathering that international pressure on the Arroyo government has gone some way to help reduce the killings and disappearances. Since 2006, an avalanche of e-mails and letters has called for the government to stop the killings, end impunity for the murderers, and support human rights. Since 2006, the numbers have gone from 220 recorded cases of murdered unionists to 94 in 2007 and 64 in 2008.

Tinio concluded that Canadian unionists can help by passing convention resolutions to support ACT’s campaign, by establishing worker-to-worker solidarity missions with the Philippines, and by writing to the Arroyo and Harper governments to demand justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings.

Tinio also hopes to produce a video documentary on human and labour rights in the Philippines, and is soliciting funds for the project.

To contribute to the ACT campaign, visit the Global Justice Fund

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:
DROP CHARGES AGAINST PHILIPPINE LABOUR ACTIVISTS:

The following appeal comes from the Clean Clothes Campaign. It features not just the persecution of labour lawyer Remigo Saladero, mentioned previously on this blog, but also 72 other unionists being unfairly prosecuted.

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Philippine Labour Rights Lawyer Faces New Round of False Charges‏:
Within a week after being released from prison, labour lawyer Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr., and five other Philippine labour and human rights activists face another round of trumped-up charges of murder.Thanks to your previous action, Saladero was freed from prison on February 5, 2009. But your continued support is needed to ensure that he remains free. Please take action today.
Take action now at:
http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/09-03-03.htm#action
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Saladero and others released from prison
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On February 5, 2009, the regional trial court in Mindoro, Philippines announced that six detained labour and human rights activists, including Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr., were to be immediately released. Along with 66 other labour and human rights activists, the six had been charged with multiple murder and attempted murder in a New People's Army ambush in Mindoro in 2006.




The court ruled that proper legal procedures were not followed, and therefore put an end to the case against them.




This court ruling is a victory for the labour and human rights movement in the Philippines who have argued that these kind of accusations seem specifically designed to cripple the Philippine labour movement by putting activists behind bars, forcing them into hiding, and burdening their colleagues with organising a legal defense. Sadly, just barely a week after Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr. and the five other activists were released, a new murder case has been filed against them. Although no arrest warrants have yet been issued, it is clear that the Philippine authorities are determined to continue their legal offensive.
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New case copy of the Mindoro accusations
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The current case involves the killing of Ricky Garmino, member of the paramilitary group Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), in Rizal on July 29, 2008. Witnesses allegedly recognized 70 of the 72 labour and human rights activists named in the Mindoro case, and were able to name them in the exact same order as in the Mindoro case files. Full-time lawyers, polio and diabetes patients, and activists in wheelchairs are included in the list of accused. A preliminary investigation in this case is set on March 6 at the Rizal prosecutor's office.




Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr. and his group of lawyers have filed a petition for protection against unlawful acts of public officials (writ of Amparo) with the Supreme Court. It remains unclear whether the Mindoro case against the 72 activists will be re-filed, which could again lead to arrest warrants of all activists concerned.
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Take action today
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Write to the Philippine government and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to immediately stop the persecution of labour and human rights activists.
Take action now at:http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/09-03-03.htm#action
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THE LETTER:
Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to Philippine authorities.
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Write to the Philippine government and Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to immediately stop the persecution of labour and human rights activists.
SAMPLE LETTER
TO
Atty. Rafael Francisco, Chairperson of ECOP CSR Committee. Email: raf@cadp.com.ph
Jose Roland Moya, Deputy Director-General of ECOP. Email: jramoya@hotmail.com
Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines. Email: corres@op.gov.ph
CC Ms. Leila De Lima, Philippines Commission on Human Rights. Email: chr.delima@yahoo.com
CC Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Philippines Dept. of Justice. Email: raulgonzalez_doj@yahoo.com
CC Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno, Department of Interior and Local Government. Email: rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph
CC Secretary Marianito D. Roque, Department of Labor and Employment. Email: osec@dole.gov.ph

To whom it may concern,
I have been informed by the Clean Clothes Campaign that there has been a continued effort by the Government of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to intimidate labour and human rights activists and thwart their efforts to combat impunity for violence against labour leaders.




I have learned that due process was not followed in the recent filing of arrest warrants for 72 people, including many of the most eminent labour leaders in southern Tagalog, in the "Mindoro case". On February 5, the Regional Trial Court, in the Fourth Judicial Region, Oriental Mindoro, branch XXXIX (39), Calapan City, ruled that the case against six detained labour leaders and advocates, including Atty Remigio D. Saladero Jr., was quashed. However, within one week of their release, a total of 70 people included in the “Mindoro case”, again appear as accused under similar dubious circumstances in the murder of Ricky Garmino on July 29, 2008. Furthermore, I am shocked to learn that ECOP has stood in opposition of a formal investigation by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) into the violence against labour leaders in the Philippines. Given that the ILO is an internationally recognised and respected body, I would expect the ILO would be welcomed to the Philippines.




I send this email in the hopes that the government of the Philippines and ECOP will:

*End the campaign of intimidation against labour leaders and supporters;
*Invite the ILO to do a full independent investigation into the human rights violations in the Philippines;
*Drop all the criminal charges against and stop persecution of the labour and human rights advocates, activists and organisers included in the "Mindoro case" and the “Garmino case”.

I stand in solidarity with the workers of the Philippines and look forward to the day when they will enjoy the full benefits of internationally recognised labour rights.
Sincerely,

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:

MORE REPRESSION OF PHILIPPINO LABOUR AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS:

Molly has mentioned the case of Philippino labour lawyer Remigio Saladero on this blog before. Here is further news of other repressive actions by the government and bosses of the Philippines. Also a call for solidarity from the Clean Clothes Campaign.

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MORE ACTION NEEDED TO PROTECT PHILIPPINE LABOUR ORGANISERS:

Since we reported on the arrest of labour lawyer Remigio Saladero onOctober 23, 2008, the Philippine authorities have issued arrest warrants for 71 other labour and human rights activists.

They are being accused of murder and attempted murder for allegedly taking up arms against the government and attacking police forces in an ambush in Mindoro province in March 2006. The accusations are based on a statement of one witness whose testimony is highly questionable and no investigation has taken place. Six activists have already been arrested and the others may be seized by the military police at any moment.

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Take action now!Go to: http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/08-12-17.htm#action

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False Charges Being Used to Cripple the Labour Movement

Among the activists pursued by the military and charged by the prosecutor in the Mindoro case are at least 15 labour leaders and organisers who have been working for years in the Philippine export processing zones (see the list below). The accused include activists,organisers and leaders from a variety of trade unions and labour organisations, including the Workers’ Assistance Center in Cavite, the transportation unions, and the workers’ unions at Nestle, Toyota and Honda.

The draconian measures of the Philippine government seem specifically designed to cripple the Philippine labour movement by make union organising even more difficult and prohibiting strikes. In recent years,the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has come under intense international and domestic criticism for hundreds of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of leftist activists, journalists, lawyers and clergy by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

In response to the criticism, the number of such killings dropped, but convictions of perpetrators for serious crimes of this type remain negligible. Local activists have also expressed concern that the continuing harassment and arrests of activists on trumped-up charges shows that the government is merely changing its tactics. Their fears were confirmed in a recent statement by the chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights, Leila de Lima”; “Those who are charged fit perfectly the profile of the usual victims of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances,” de Lima told representatives of a broad coalition of workers unions, church groups, students, and lawyers groups who are campaigning for the release of Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr.

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Employers Confederation Blocks ILO Investigation

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The International Labour Organisation, in response to a complaint filed by a Philippine labour organisation two years ago, requested that thePhilippine government allow it to send in a high-level mission to investigate the killings and harassments of union leaders and members, and other violations of freedom of association in the Philippines. The government has thus far refused. The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), which includes employers such as Nestle, Toyota, andHonda, is adamantly opposed to the investigation. For years, these companies have been engaged in standoffs with democratically elected unions.

For more information, see also http://labourrightsblog.typepad.com andhttp://freeattysaladero.wordpress.com/

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Take action at: http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/08-12-17.htm#actionor adapt/send the sample letter below:

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Send your letter to:

* Atty. Rafael Francisco, Chairperson of ECOP CSR Committee. Email: raf@cadp.com.ph

* Jose Roland Moya, Deputy Director-General of ECOP. Email: jramoya@hotmail.com

* Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines. Email: corres@op.gov.ph

and a CC to:

* Ms. Leila De Lima, Philippines Commission on Human Rights. Email: chr.delima@yahoo.com

* Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Philippines Dept. of Justice. Email: raulgonzalez_doj@yahoo.com

* Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno, Department of Interior and Local Government. Email: rvpuno@dilg.gov.ph

THE LETTER

To whom it may concern,

I have been informed by the Clean Clothes Campaign that there has been a continued effort by the Government of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to intimidate labour and human rights activists and thwart their efforts to combat impunity for violence against labour leaders.

Furthermore, I am shocked to learn that ECOP has stood in opposition of a formal investigation by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) into the violence against labour leaders in the Philippines. Given thatthe ILO is an internationally recognised and respected body, I would expect the ILO would be welcomed to the Philippines.

I have also learned that due process was not followed in the recent filing of arrest warrants for 72 people, including many of the mosteminent labour leaders in southern Tagalog, in the "Minodoro" case.

I send this email in the hopes that the government of the Philippines and ECOP will:

* End the campaign of intimidation against labour leaders and supporters;

* Invite the ILO to do a full independent investigation into the human rights violations in the Philippines;

*Release all arrested activists and drop all the criminal charges against the labour and human rights advocates, activists and organisers included in the "Mindoro case"

I stand in solidarity with the workers of the Philippines and look forward to the day when they will enjoy the full benefits of internationally recognised labour rights.

Sincerely,

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List of Labour Leaders Charged by Philippine Government in the MindoroMurder Case

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1. Romeo Legaspi (Chairperson, PAMANTIK-KMU; National President,Organized Labour Association in Line Industries and Agriculture(OLALIA-KMU); President, Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Honda (NLMH- OLALIA);Chairperson, Anakpawis-Timog Katagalugan);

2. Rolando Mingo (President, Southern Tagalog Region Transport Sector Organization, (STARTER);Vice President, Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON); 3. Emmanuel Dionida, (Executive Director, Labour Education Advocacy Development Research Services Inc.);

4. Nestor San Jose (Rizal Provincial Coordinator, Anakpawis; Coordinator, Makabayang Organisasyon ng Tsuper at Operator sa Rizal(MOTOR) –PISTON);

5. Luz Baculo (Secretary General, Pamantik-KMU; National Council Member,KMU);

6. Berlin Justo (Calamba City coordinator, Bayan Muna; Secretary General, Calamba Federation Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association; Former Baranggay Councilor, Brgy. Palingon, Calamba City);

7. Agaton Bautista (Batangas Provincial Coordinator, Anakpawis; Secretary General, Samahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Batangas (SAMBAT));

8. Samuel Dizon (Coordinator, Samahan Pang-transportasyong Rumuruta sa Kalakhang Probinsya ng Laguna (SPARKPLAG) – Piston);

9. Lucio Amarante (Staff, Transport Organizer, STARTER-PISTON);

10. Henry Halawig (Paralegal staff, Banzuela Law Office; Former Board of Directors, OLALIA-KMU);

11. Arnie Seminiano (Member, Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa-Kilusang Mayo Uno (IBM-KMU);

12. Garizaldy Constantino (Campaign Officer, Anakpawis Party list; Former Campaign Officer, Kilusang Mayo Uno Labour Leader, Nestle Union);

13. Romeo Sevilla (Member, Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggaga-Kilusang Mayo Uno (IBM-KMU));

14. Emmanuel Asuncion (Board Member- Workers’ Assistance Center);

15. Remigio Saladero (General Counsel-KMU; Pro-Labour Legal Assistance Center)

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:

SOLIDARITY WITH LABOUR RIGHTS ACTIVISTS:

At this time dozens of labour rights activists in the Philippines have an "arrest list" hanging over their heads because of their activities in defense of workers' rights. The following appeal comes originally from the Workers' Assistance Centre in the Philippines, but it has also been broadcast by the International Labor Rights Forum and the Maquila Solidarity Network. Here's the story and what you can do to help.

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URGENT ACTION: 71 labour rights advocates put on arrest lists by Philippine Government‏ :

On October 3, 2008, the terror felt among labour activists in the Philippines grew even stronger. In addition to the arrest of Remigio Saladero, which MSN alerted you to earlier, another 71 people including well-known human and labour rights advocates were put on an arrest list by the Philippines government. Emmanuel "Manny" Asuncion, who is a board member of the Workers’ Assistance Centre (WAC) -- a close ally of MSN -- was included in the arrest order. At this point in time, Manny has not been arrested but there is increasing concern that he will be. WAC advises that the list of those to be charged was created without any due process or investigation period.

The International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) has issued an action alert urging people to speak out against this possible arrest and the persecution of labour and human rights advocates in the Philippines. MSN urges you to support this appeal by sending an email to the Government of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

Click here to join the protest. (NOTE: This will take you to the ILRF site, where you can choose whether or not to receive further action alerts from them directly by checking or un-checking the appropriate boxes)

You might also be interested in ILRF’s blog posting Blind Justice Gone Awry in the Philippines: "Please, no questions asked." For further background on the case from WAC, please click here.

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By clicking the link above you will come to the site where you can send the following letter to the government of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

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THE LETTER

I have just received an email from the International Labor Rights Forum indicating that there has been a continued effort by the Government of the Philippines with cooperation from the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to continue to intimidate and thwart the efforts of labor unionists and supporters in demanding accountability for the violence against labor leaders.

Furthermore, I am shocked to learn that ECOP has stood in opposition of a formal investigation by the International Labor Organization (ILO) into the violence and targeting of labor leaders in the Philippines. Given that the ILO is an internationally recognized and respected body, I would expect the ILO would be welcomed to the Philippines.

I have also learned that no due process was followed before the 72 arrest warrants were filed which included arrest orders for many of the most outspoken labor leaders in southern Tagalog.
I send this email in the hopes that the government of the Philippines and ECOP will: - End the campaign of intimidation against labor leaders and supporters;- Invite the ILO to do a full independent investigation into the human rights violations in the Philippines;- Drop all the criminal charges against Emmanuel "Manny" Asuncion and to all other labor activists and leaders of people's organizations in Cavite.

I stand in solidarity with the workers of the Philippines and look forward to the day when they will enjoy the full benefits of internationally recognized labor rights.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR:

COUNTING THE TOLL:

Here's an interesting item that Molly recently discovered on the AFL-CIO Blog. It's a story on the International Trade Union Confederation's Annual Survey of violations of Trade Union Rights. The article below concentrates on the murders of trade unions in the year 2007, but the report itself hardly restricts itself to this most grievous of employer crimes. Well worth looking at.

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91 Trade Unionists Murdered in 2007:

by James Parks, Dec 1, 2008
A total of 91 trade unionists were murdered for fighting for workers’ rights worldwide in 2007, according to the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC’s) Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights, released late last month.

Colombia, where 39 union members were killed in 2007, again tops the list of most dangerous countries to be a union member. While there was a slight reduction in killings in Colombia compared with the previous year, ITUC says many attempts to kill Colombian unionists failed, and there was a notable increase in forced removals, arbitrary arrests, illegal raids and threats, especially in agriculture, health and education.

In Guinea, 30 unionists were murdered. ITUC says the regime of President Lansana Conte was directly responsible for the killing of 30 unionists during the brutal repression of union-organized public demonstrations against corruption and violations of fundamental rights.
The survey also noted a disturbing increase in violence in Guatemala as trade unions were increasingly targeted, with four unionists murdered and a worsening climate of threats and harassment.

ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder says:

"Repression of legitimate trade union activities…continued unabated in every continent. Murder, violence and torture, along with harassment, dismissal and imprisonment, were all used to stop working people organising unions and bargaining collectively for decent pay and working conditions. Several governments were only too ready to openly or covertly support unscrupulous employers who deny fundamental rights to their employees.

Governments have failed to do enough to protect workers’ rights, either at home or in their international diplomatic, economic and trade relations. "

The survey also singled out the United States and Australia among industrialized nations for restricting workers’ freedom to form unions, citing court decisions in Australia and the Bush National Labor Relations Board rulings in this country.

Several disturbing trends emerged in the survey, which covers worker rights violations in 138 countries. Among those: collusion between some governments and employers to deprive workers of their legitimate rights to union membership and representation. Serious and systematic harassment and intimidation was reported in 63 countries.

Seventy-three unionists were sent to prison in 2007, including 40 in Iran, where systematic suppression of workers organizing in transportation and education continued. Fourteen unionists were jailed in Morocco and seven in Burma, where the junta targeted union activists as part of its brutal crackdown on any moves for democracy and human rights.

In Africa, employers in several countries used lax labor laws to encourage splits in trade unions and create employer-controlled groups to replace independent trade unions. Conditions were especially bad in Zimbabwe and Swaziland, which also appeared on a list of countries where Chinese-owned and -funded projects were cited for poor working conditions and exploitation of the workforce.

In the Middle East and Asia:
**Saudi employers beat four female Indonesian domestic workers so badly that two died, and police forcibly removed the other two from the hospital.
**Two trade unionists, one of whom was abducted and tortured, were killed due to their union activities in Iraq.
**Murders of trade unionists were once again reported in Cambodia and the Philippines.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR-THE PHILIPPINES:

HELP FREE JAILED LABOUR LAWYER:

The following appeal comes from the International Labor Rights Forum, a project of the Union Voice website.this concerns the arrest of labour lawyer Remigio Saladero in the Philippines. read on.

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Demand the Release of Labor Lawyer in the Philippines:
ILRF has just learned that on Wednesday Remigio Saladero, the chief legal counsel for the KMU (an independent labor federation in the Philippines) and the union representing Dole Philippines's workers, was illegally arrested by the Philippine government. Mr. Saladero is a close ally of ILRF and we are deeply concerned about his detention by the Philippine government.

Please take action now to tell the U.S and Philippine governments that the world is watching. We are asking the Philippines government to release Atty. Remigio Saladero, drop the charges levied against him as a pretext for his detention, AND create an independent investigating team to investigate the threats and intimidation to the Pro-labor Legal Assistance Center.

Mr. Saladero is being charged with conspiracy to commit rebellion and murder for allegedly participating in an undisclosed murder in Mindoro; charges such as these are becoming increasingly more common tactic used by the governments as it steps up its legal attacks against civil society organization in the Philippines, politicians, church leaders and labor activists, who speak out against the policies of President Arroyo.

ILRF is deeply troubled by Atty. Saladero’s detention because it further restricts the ability of both labor organizations, like the KMU, and the legal profession in the Philippines to exercise their rights and vigorously defend themselves and others against the Government of the Philippines, who is responsible for promoting a climate of violence and impunity, and companies like Dole Foods, who thrive in an environment where violence against trade unions is common and justice is rarely pursued.

About Remigio Saladero:
Atty. Remigio Saladero is a labor lawyer at the public interest law firm Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE) in the Philippines. Saladero is a graduate of the San Beda College of Law and was a law professor at the Lyceum and the Dominican College in the Philippines. He is a columnist for Pinoyweekly, a weekly newspaper based in Quezon City and he writes essays on various labor cases.

Tell me more

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Please go to THIS LINK to send the following letter to the authorities in the Philippines.

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Dear [ Decision Maker ],
(Edit Letter Below)

Given the recent arrest of Remigio Saladero, I am deeply concerned by the actions of the Philippine government in its choice to prosecute a labor lawyer that has defended the rights of workers for many years. I am troubled by the notion that this arrest is part of a broader effort by the Philippine government to silence those seeking justice for workers.

As you know labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, the chief legal counsel for the KMU (an independent labor federation in the Philippines) and the union representing Dole Philippine's workers, was taken into police custody on October 22 for charges that are considered completely false by labor advocates.

I am asking that you do everything in your power to:
- Release Atty. Remigio Saladero from custody.
- Drop the cases of arson, destruction of property, conspiracy to commit rebellion and frustrated and multiple charges filed against him.
- Create an independent investigating team to investigate the series of surveillances on PLACE law center.
Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your address]

ANARCHISM IN THE PHILIPPINES:

In addition to the labour struggles mentioned by Molly on her post of the previous day there is a new and growing anarchist movement in that country. This is significant because unlike other East Asian countries such as Japan, Korea and China there is little known historical precedent for this growth. The latest aspect of this growth is the opening of a new infoshop in the southern city of Davao on the island of Mindanao. This is especially significant as Mindanao is an epicentre of Muslim insurrection in the Philippines. The main players in this armed conflict are the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (a split from the more moderate Moro National Liberation Front), Abu Sayyaf, and the Jemaah Islamiyah . Unlike the declining Maoist thugs of the New Peoples' Army, these groups actually have at least a modicum of popular support, even though, like the NPA, their "armed struggle" follows the usual trajectory of degenerating into sheer criminality. Their support is sufficient that the government has seen necessary to compromise with them in granting the Moros of Mindanao a degree of autonomy. This "compromise", however, hasn't prevented the government from imposing what is essentially a regime of modified martial law on the area, with all the human rights abuses that this implies.

In this conflict between a brutal ruling class and even more brutal would-be rulers it is significant that our comrades have established an anarchist presence. They call their project "As a Whole Family: Alternative Culture, Art and Resource Centre", and it is a typical infoshop with print resources, film showings, lectures, etc.. They are looking for help, both financial and in the form of resources for their library. They can be reached via email at asawhole_family@yahoo.com . Their mailing address is #386 Makiling St. (Lower), Central Park Subdivision, Bangkai, Davao City, Philippines 8000, and they have two phone #s ie 09107843815 and 09185117233. There is also another group active in Mindanao ie the Katribu Mindanau.

Meanwhile in Luzon, the major island of the Philippines a number of groups are active as well. These include the Non-Collective, Manila Indymedia and the Manila Infoshop. All of these groups have been added to Molly's Links under the general Links section. There are also a large number of projects and groups that don't have an internet presence, from Food Not Bombs groups, media projects, literature distributors, ecology groups and others. There is an interesting article on the Manila Indymedia site that gives a recent list. Go to http://manila.indymedia.org/?actions=default&featurereview=187 to view the report.

Molly

CAVITE PROVINCE, THE PHILIPPINES: ATTACKS ON UNION MEMBERS CONTINUE:

The government of the Philippines, its institutions the Philippines Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE) have long been in collusion with employers in the Province of Cavite who are waging what amounts to an undeclared war against workers trying to establish the right to unionize in that province. Amnesty International released a report in August of last year that estimated 51 activists had been murdered in the first 6 months of 2006. This followed a previous 66 murders in 2005. Amnesty expressed concern that the police and military might be involved in some of these killings. President Arroyo commissioned an inquiry into the killings late last August headed by retired Supreme Court justice Jose Melo. Even though the commission was hand picked by the government it apparently didn't deliver the "verdict" the President wanted as its report was submitted in late January of this year, but Arroyo refused to make the findings public.

A member of the Commission, Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos has leaked the information that several parties were implicated in the killings. Not just the Maoist NPA but also members of the military and private armies hired by employers. President Arroyo finally caved in to pressure both internal and international and released the report at the end of February. As expected it put the blame for many of the killings at the feet of the army, though it stopped short of directly implicating the government.

This campaign of intimidation and violence continues up to this day. Some of the more outstanding attacks include the murder of Bishop Alberto Ramento, chairman of the board of the Workers' Assistance Center on Oct. 3rd, 2006, the gunning down of two dismissed union activists from the Solidarity of Cavite Workers, along with a fellow worker from the firm that they were dismissed by, Yakazi-EMI. The police officers assigned to "investigate" this case were the same ones implicated in a previous attempted murder of another union activist, Gerardo Cristobal. A report on the suppression of labor rights and human rights in the Philippines in 2006 can be seen from the 2006 annual report of the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights. .

Violence on the picket lines of striking factories and other illegal union busting tactics are an increasing common event in Cavite. Molly has reported on some of this previously. The Clean Clothes Campaign has launched an international solidarity effort to pressure the government of the Philippines to respect its own law, guarantee workers' rights to freedom of association, properly investigate previous violence and immediately take action to halt violence against labour activists and striking workers. To participate in this campaign go to http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/07-04-04.htm .

As has also been mentioned here on Molly's blog both the Union Voice and the Labour Start organizations have online solidarity campaigns to pressure one of the main buyers from the Chong Won (recently renamed as C. Woo) plant, Walmart, to put effective pressure on their supplier to recognize democratic rights in Cavite. These campaigns can be seen at

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/chongwon2?rk=Y712wLd1X4aDW

and

http://www.laborstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=222

A good source of independent news from the Philippines is the weekly online journal Bulatlat at http://www.bulatlat.com

Molly

SOLIDARITY REQUESTS FROM THE PHILIPPINES:

Two solidarity requests have come in from the Philippines. The first is from the Union Voice organization and concerns workers at the Chong Won Fashion Inc plant where workers are presently in the 6th month of a strike which has been marked by violent attacks on the part of the police. Union Voice is calling upon people to protest the continued intransigence of management, the obliviousness of Wal-Mart who buy the products, and the use of police as goons in the service of the company on the part of the Philippine government. to join this campaign go to http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/chongwon2/gi66w2rtn63n6?

Also from the Philippines, an Info-Shop has opened in Davos City, a community in greater Manila. The "As a Whole Family" Infoshop claims to be the only infoshop now operating in the Philippines, and they are looking for donations, both financial and to their library. to get in contact with them via the following ways:

email: asawhole_family@yahoo.com

phone # 09-10-784-3814

#09-18-511-7233

Donations can be made to "As a Whole: Alternative Culture, Art Resource Center"

#386 Makiling St. (Lower)

Bangkai, Davao City

Philippines, 8000

Molly