CBCP to tackle workers issues

CEBU, Philippines - Social injustice on workers and other relevant matters involving labor will be among the topics to be discussed by the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in their next meeting.

The assurance was made yesterday by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma during the national conference on Church People and Workers at the Mariner’s Court in Cebu.

Palma, incoming CBCP president, said the Archdiocese of Cebu is taking a solid action on the matter.

“Naa na ta’y mga follow-up evaluation and course of action para sa mga trabahante,” Palma said.

Palma and Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Iloilo together with several other bishops were in Cebu yesterday as convenors of the four-day national conference.

The event has the theme: “Church People and Workers in Solidarity, Reclaim the Dignity of Human Work”. The activity was done in celebration for the 30th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on human work, the Laborem Exercens.

Palma said they have also conducted sessions devoted to the concerns of the workers.

“We will help them in their concerns example regarding contractualization, low wages, no strike, no union policy that violates their rights,” Palma said.

The prelate said the plans will be submitted to the CBCP then to the different archdiocese nationwide.

Palma is also hopeful to sit down with business sectors, government officials and the workers to discuss the latter’s plight. – (FREEMAN)