Some 25 trade union leaders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao participated in a two-day JILAF-sponsored National Workshop on Global Financial Crisis: It’s Impact on Employment and Productivity on October 16-17, 2009, in Cebu City.
Representatives from regional offices of DOLE and NEDA presented preliminary outlines of economic recovery including in Central Visayas region and provided information on adjustment measures/stimulus programs and procedures in accessing them.
Bros. Cedric Bagtas of TUCP and Kenichi Kumagai of JILAF presented the trade unions’ perspectives, experiences and proposals for mitigating the impact of the global crisis:
- Solidarity actions – negotiation complemented by solidarity actions
- Advocacy – engagement in issues including financial and asset reforms, equity and participation
- Legislative reforms – improvement in labor laws and regulations, including wages, benefits and working conditions
- Trade Union Actions – trade unions implementing own programs; advocacy for quick delivery of government services and programs; trade union programs demonstrating concern for members and communities
- Collective Bargaining – priority principles and increasing share for of revenues rank-and-file workers
- Organizing – expanding membership (organize non-regular workers) and networks
The participants drafted initial proposals on alternative income generating activities for government funding under the stimulus program.
