Group: Ban on masks during strikes is illegal

CEBU - A coalition of different labor groups opposes the proposed city ordinance that prohibits the wearing of mask during labor strikes, describing the same as illegal.

During the public hearing on the proposed measure yesterday, Metudio “Boboy” Belarmino Jr., spokesman of the Cebu Labor Coalition described the move as discriminatory.

“There is nothing wrong to those persons having masks or taptap in their faces because they are sympathizers from other companies who wish not to be identified for fear of possible reprisals from the management,” he explained.

Belarmino questioned the proposed ordinance sponsored by Councilor Hilario Davide III, saying it is only intended for the labor strikers and it is silent for the other persons, including “goons” of the employers who are also wearing masks.

“How about the strike breakers and the goons of the management, are they not included in this ordinance? If they are not included, then there is discrimination,” he added.

Davide has proposed for the enactment of the ordinance following the strike at the Gaisano Capital South where strikers wore masks to cover their faces. The wearing of masks was questioned by Mayor Tomas Osmeña who personally went to the area allegedly brandishing a gun to disperse the strikers.

The mayor said that he went to the place after he received a report that there were confrontation between the labor strikers and the guards but he saw that some of the strikers wore masks.

The Cebu Labor Coalition is composed of labor groups like Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines that have an estimated 150,000 members, Alliance of Progressive Labor, among others.

Davide advised the labor representatives, particularly those who failed to appear in yesterday’s public hearing, to submit their respective position papers before the City Council’s secretariat for further study. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)