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JULY-AUGUST 2002


TUCP hits Malaysia on inhuman crackdown of Filipino migrants

TUCP condemned in the highest possible terms the inhumane treatment of Filipino deportees by the Malaysian Government and has urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to raise the issue with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammad Mahatir.

The statement came amidst reports that at least 13 children died and thousand others suffered from illnesses due to malnutrition as a result of the purge. On August 1 Malaysian police rounded up Filipino migrants in Sabah and other areas in the country in a massive crackdown on illegal aliens.

A girl child also reported to have been repeatedly raped by Malaysian police while in detention. The deportees most of whom were ferried by Philippine navy boats back to Zamboanga and Sulu, complained of unsanitary conditions in the crammed detention centers. They disclosed that they were fed only once a day and where not given access to bathrooms. Food and water were rationed. Some also complained that they were caned while in detention for the slightest of reasons. There were also reports that a number of women held were to exchange sexual favors for food and water.

“The inhumane treatment received by our countrymen is something that is totally unexpected from an ASEAN neighbor and from a nation which we supposedly share the same lineage. It is only appropriate that the highest official of Malaysia hear what we have to say on this barbaric act,” said the TUCP.

TUCP strongly urged President Arroyo to take a direct hand on the matter and send word to Malaysian PM regarding Philippines’ displeasure. “PM Mahatir should realize that the Philippines will not take this seating down and that Malaysia should atone for its barbaric act,” TUCP added.

“There is no room in the civilized world for this kind of treatment. Assuming even that the deportees violated immigration laws, they should have been given some degree of dignity. Even terrorists are afforded basic human decency. The only crime of these people is their desperate attempt to escape poverty,” TUCP said.

TUCP also supported moves by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to bring the matter to the United Nations (UN). TUCP said that it is important for the UN to do an impartial investigation on the matter and impose the necessary sanctions on Malaysia.

“The UN is the appropriate body to rule on this issue. The CHR should be given the authority to file a formal protest or a case before the appropriate agency of the UN to ensure that the 13 children who died and the thousands of mistreated Filipinos are given justice they deserve, stressed the TUCP.

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TUCP moderately satisfied with SONA

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expressed modest satisfaction over President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s report on the performance of her administration. The TUCP made the assessment after the President’s State-of-the-Nation-Address (SONA) on July 22.

TUCP said that the Government has registered substantial achievements in relation to the areas outlined by the President in her last SONA. “The administration has delivered in many of President Arroyo’s commitments, particularly on housing, promotion of industrial peace, and food security”, TUCP said.

The TUCP expressed satisfaction over the initiatives of the President to provide housing to the masses, particularly to workers. The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) reported that it has exceeded by 113% the 300,000 units promised to the poor during last years SONA.

The TUCP also lauded efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in maintaining industrial peace in the country. DOLE reported that the country has registered the lowest number of strikes this year for the last decade.

TUCP also cited DOLE’s report that a total of 1.026 jobs generated, most of which were in the agricultural sector.

Despite the positive assessment, TUCP encouraged the Administration to persevere in key areas particularly on job generation, peace and order, and fighting corruption in government.

The TUCP said that the Government must do more to stamp out corruption in Government and ensure peace and order in the country. This according to TUCP has clouded the positive gains of the Government.

For the next year, the TUCP urged the President to focus on generating more jobs. There are over four million workers without livelihood. The TUCP urged the business community and the academe to help Government generate more jobs.

TUCP said that it is doing its share in job promotion through its Jobs Corps program, a private sector initiative aimed at promoting employment of young people through volunteer training programs. The program is a brainchild of TUCP General Secretary Ernesto Herrera.

The TUCP also urged the President to do more to bring down the cost of housing, medicine and other basic commodities.

The TUCP strongly urged the President to bring the full weight of the Government to stamp out criminality in the country, which the TUCP said is one of the reasons driving investors away from the country.

The TUCP also asked the President to craft strategies to bring down rates of utilities, especially rates on power and water.

“Overall President Arroyo should be cited for her sincerity and commitment in trying to solve the many and multi-faceted problems of the country. At the very least, she should be given credit for her determination and resolve despite the many political issues which haunted her administration throughout the year,” TUCP remarked.

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TUCP criticizes SSS for refusing to grant calamity loans

TUCP on July 18 criticized the Social Security System (SSS) for refusing to grant loans to members victimized by recent calamities.

The TUCP said that it is the height of insensitivity on part of SSS to refuse applications for calamity loans since it is one of the few state social institutions which workers can run to for financial assistance in cases of emergencies.

SSS chief executive officer Corazon de la Paz announced that the institution is no longer granting calamity loans primarily because of limited funds and the need to increase members contributions to shore up its reserves.

SSS members affected by calamities used to be able to borrow P8, 000.00 from the SSS upon application and presentation of certifications from their localities.

The TUCP also lambasted the SSS for its reasoning that it can no longer extend such loans because of its tight financial standing and that the SSS may run out of funds by 2015.

“Regardless of a previous decision of the SSS Commission to stop the loans, the present SSS leadership should be sensitive enough to the needs of its members, particularly this year and coming periods where a lot of typhoons and extra ordinary weather conditions are expected to hit the country,” TUCP said.

The TUCP also added that the SSS should not attach the issue of calamity loans to its proposal to increase members’ contributions. The TUCP branded the move as “blackmail.”

SSS Vice President Joel Palacios said the SSS is expected to run out of funds by 2015 and that it is the reason why the Fund is carefully watching its disbursements.

“Palacios should be careful in his statements. He should realize that it is the workers who are the real owners of the Fund and that they have all the right to demand for all the necessary assistance from the SSS,” TUCP said.

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… hits SSS proposals to increase premiums; bewails lack of consultations

TUCP is dismayed over the lack of wide-ranging consultations in the proposed increases in workers’ contributions to the Social Security System (SSS).

The SSS recently proposed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo an increase in members’ contributions by one percent annually for the next five years. SSS members currently contribute 8.4 % of their gross monthly pay to the SSS.

SSS President Corazon de la Paz disclosed that unless premiums are increased, the pension fund would go bankrupt by 2015.

TUCP advised that the SSS should first consult with workers who will shoulder proposed increases in premiums. TUCP stressed that the SSS has not attempted to dialogue with workers’ groups to explain the real situation of the Fund.

“Unless the SSS can explain to us satisfactorily why we should increase contributions we will object to any hike in premiums. The burden of resolving problems of the SSS should not be passed on to workers who can no longer afford additional deductions from their meager wages”, the TUCP said.

TUCP also urged the SSS to take into consideration the current economic climate and the situation of workers when making its proposals. “Raising contributions at this point will not only affect workers, but also the viability of their employers, TUCP said.

TUCP also cited the need for SSS to clear the mess that the administration of former President Joseph Estrada before instituting such a proposal.

“The general feeling is that the Fund was depleted because of the raids done by the previous administration. Workers would think twice of increasing their contributions unless this issue is resolved”, said the TUCP.

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TUCP shocked over Bañez revelations; asks former BIR chief to expose grafters in the agency

The TUCP urged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to launch a full dress investigation over the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Rene Bañez.

The TUCP was shocked over the tax chief’s resignation and is unsettled over allegations that he was forced to resign due to pressures from saboteurs inside the agency.

Bañez resigned over threats of “non-collection or extremely low collection” by unidentified groups opposed to the reforms he had initiated. Bañez added that the group is trying to embarrass him by deliberately lowering down collections.

Revenue collections last year and the current had fallen extremely short of targets and had caused government’s deficit to balloon to unprecedented heights.

TUCP called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to order a top to bottom investigation on the allegations of Bañez. “This is terrible. The country cannot be held by the neck by people or forces out to protect their own selfish interests. President Arroyo should immediately lower the boom on the agency. The sooner the better,” said the TUCP.

TUCP also appealed to the former BIR chief to identify the perpetrators of the sabotage and make public his findings about graft and corruption in the agency. “Bañez should finish the reforms he initiated by coming out openly with the names and schemes perpetrated by these people. The nation will appreciate him more,” said the TUCP.

“As the largest sector religiously paying taxes, the workers sector demand for actions to address the general perception that BIR is a nest of grafters. We can no longer stomach the fact that workers, whose salaries are not even enough to meet basic nutritional requirements, are the only ones paying the correct taxes while businessmen and professionals evade from their financial obligations,” TUCP said.

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TESDA-ACE inks first CNA

Coinciding with the 8th Anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the TUCP affiliate TESDA-ACE, concluded the first ever collective negotiating Agreement (CNA) in the premier skills development agency.

The signing of the agreement held on August 19 was witnessed by some 1000 employees of TESDA. TESDA management was represented by no less than the Director General Dante Liban. TESDA-ACE-TUCP National Council President Sonia Lipio signed for the union.

He agreement include among other things health benefits for employees, provision of day care centers, additional leaves, a substantial productivity incentive, and representation of the union in decision-making bodies in TESDA. The agreement also contained provisions mandating the establishment of a committee on decorum and investigation (CODI).

The union also included a merit-based provision promotion. Management also agreed to give the union the right to operate the canteen at the Central Office.

In her speech after the signing of the CNA, Lipio acknowledged TUCP’s support. “Truly we have awaited, grieved and worked so long and so hard for this day to be witnessed by all of us. Friends from TUCP stood fast with us during the long hurdle, and for that we are grateful,” she said.

TESDA-ACE in August last year won over SAMAKA-TESDA, a union put up by former TESDA-ACE official Annie Geron, in a certification election. TESDA ACE won via landslide. SAMAKA-TESDA in a last ditch attempt to block the assumption of TESDA-ACE complained of irregularities during the elections. The Bureau of Labor Relations (BLR) for lack of merit dismissed the complaints.

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TUCP hosts youth and women’s meet

The TUCP recently hosted a twin conference participated in by young and women leaders from countries around the region.

TUCP assisted in coordinating a joint program of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions – Asian and Pacific Regional Organization (ICFTU-APRO) and the Japan International Labour Foundation (JILAF). The first meeting was the 2nd ICFTU-APRO youth Committee meeting while the second was the First Regional Meeting of Young Women Trade Unionists. It was held July 10-12 at the Manila Galleria Suites in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The two meetings were held to further emphasize the importance of organizing women and the youth into trade unions. The young women’s meeting aimed to provide a forum for discussion and interaction for young women workers. While the youth committee meeting is a function of the elected members of the committee, a body mandated by the ICFTU-APRO Constitution. The committee is chaired by TUCP’s youth representative.

Participants to young women’s meeting were also invited to the youth committee meeting. They were also given the chance to have a dialogue session with the students of the University of the Philippines.

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IEC Development and Planning Workshop

As part of its continuing program on reproductive health for workers and trade unions, the TUCP held a forum from July 3 to 5.

The three-day workshop focused on the development of key messages that will carry the thematic campaigns of the reproductive health programs of the Center.

Members of the Forward-Negros Coalition in Region IV participated in the IEC workshop. The coalition is composed of representatives from the Populations Commission (POPCOM), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), GMA 7, Department of Health (DOH), ACCORD, and the City Population Office.

The group worked on the raw ideas and proposed easy to grasp messages to five target audiences: workers, employers, families, communities and the local government.

Appropriate mediums for the IEC materials for the project were also identified as part of their commitment to bring about unity and cooperation among workers, their families and respective communities.

The program was coordinated by the TUCP Education Department headed by Bro. Ariel Castro, and his staff.

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Regional trade union consultation workshop on child labor

TUCP recently hosted trade union workshops on child labor in different parts of the country. The wide-ranging consultations were aimed to take stock of trade union actions on child labor especially after the ratification of ILO Convention 182 as well as assessed the efforts of the Workers’ Task Force 182. It also aimed to validate the cursory assessments undertaken in the proposed Philippine Time-Bound Program (PTBP). And lastly, to identify concrete TU (Trade Union) actions that can be made part of the PTBP.

The Time-Bound Programme is an approach to eliminate the worst forms of child labor (WFCL). This approach aims to prevent and eliminate incidence of WFCLs in each country all within a defined period of time through a combination of sectoral, thematic and geographically based approaches which stresses actions that are link to the national development. Its fundamental element is the country’s involvement through its leadership and initiation in the program.

The Philippines, through its National Program Against Child Labor (NPACL) is currently developing its own TBP. The program is on its preparatory stages and currently generating strategies and actions among its partner agencies/organization that will form part in the National time-bound program. Among its partners are the trade union and workers’ organizations.

The three workshops were highlighted by various exercises to generate actions by workers as their commitment in the elimination of child labor in particular with the PTBP. Among the exercises was the prioritization of areas in the PTBP for their respective regions. Second, the rationalization of the identified priorities in the PTBP which showed that workers based their selection from the degree of importance, the sense of urgency to eliminate child labor, the number of cases/population of child laborers and the TUs presence in the said areas.

Lastly, an exercise to recognize the strategies that can be used by TUs in their action towards eliminating child labor was done. Proposed strategies for the PTBP campaign focused on prevention and protection, withdrawal, rehabilitation and integration and capacity development. Among the strategies to be used were having CL advocates, awareness raising and capacity building both for the children and parents as well as on labor leaders, area investigation, livelihood programs, inclusion of CL provisions on CBAs and community consultations.

The one-day consultative workshop for Luzon (Quezon City), Visayas (Iloilo City), and Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro) was participated by representatives from the Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA), Kilusan sa Jollibee, National union of Portworkers in the Philippines (NUPP), Associated Labor Unions (ALU), International Textile, Garments, and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF), Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA), National Congress of Unions in Sugar Industry (NACUSIP), and Federation of Free Workers (FFW).

Identified PTBP priority areas specifically for respective regions include agriculture, pyrotechnics, domestic services, mining and quarrying, deep-sea fishing, and children in prostitution.

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