5T to march today for workers' rights

CEBU, Philippines - At least 5,000 workers and members of the youth and labor sectors are expected to hit the streets today, Labor Day, to call for government to put a stop on demolitions and provide housing and jobs. 

The group will converge at Pier 1 at 8:30 am and will march to Colon Street in downtown Cebu heading toward the Department of Labor and Employment 7 at the Plaza Independencia where a program will be held. The group would then proceed to the compound of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Congress of the Philippines at Pier 1.

In a unity statement, leaders and members of legitimate labor and trade unions and workers’ organizations in Cebu dubbed as NAGKAISA, said they will “consistently and passionately” work toward restoring the right of workers to full protection and a chance to live a decent and dignified life whether they are working in formal or informal settings, in private or public organizations, or here in the Philippines or abroad.

NAGKAISA is composed of ALU-TUCP, Partido ng Manggagawa, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Philippine Airlines Employees Union and Makabayan.

“We believe that the Filipino workers can be empowered again by, first and foremost, united action among unions and workers’ organizations,” the statement reads.

 Among the coalition’s immediate goals are devoted to ensuring that workers’ interests and well-being are upheld in all industry fora, all branches of government, and all international treaties and bodies; creating meaningful improvement to the workers’ plight by forging long-term partnerships with other sectors, groups, and organizations; and engaging the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches of government in pursuing progressive social dialogue that enhances workers’ well-being.

The coalition also aims at crafting and lobbying pro-worker legislation and, if necessary, holding decisive mass actions to bring these issues closer to and wield support from the people.

The coalition is likewise committed to eliminate all forms of labor contractualization. It wants to start the campaign for the immediate passage of the Security of Tenure bill and pressing for immediate relief to the economic burden of workers by challenging deregulation and other policies that lead to perpetual increases of oil prices and cost of food, electricity and basic services.

They will also work for the ratification of ILO Convention 189 or the Decent Work for Domestic Workers Convention and fight for both legislated and periodic wage increases in workers’ pay across-the-board. (FREEMAN)