Nationwide work stoppage set today

Some 200,000 workers are expected to walk out of their offices and factories today to join the rallies at the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine and other key points throughout the country.

Even workers from some 400 factories owned by pre-sidential crony Lucio Tan are also expected to join the work stoppage to press for the resignation of President Estrada.

The country’s largest labor groups said the general strike aims to underscore their demand for the resignation of Mr. Estrada, whom they described as "anti-labor" and blamed for the country’s worsening unemployment problem.

Labor leaders lamented the Department of Labor and Employment’s report that nearly 3,000 Metro Manila workers lost their jobs in the first 18 days of the year 2001.

They also criticized Labor Secretary Benjamin Laguesma for dismissing the loss of jobs as "within the normal level."

Laguesma yesterday reported that a total of 2,983 workers lost their jobs over the past 18 days following the closure of 104 establishments in the National Capital Region.

The closures of the establishments resulted in the permanent displacement of 2,383 workers and the temporary layoff of 324 others, Laguesma said.

He also appealed for sobriety among workers who are planning to join today’s work stoppage.

"I respect their rights to express their grievances but they should remember that what they are doing will have an effect on ordinary workers," he added.

But Kilusang Mayo Uno chairman Crispin Beltran said today’s work stoppage is vital in manifesting the demand of the labor sector for the ouster of Mr. Estrada.

"This is part of our active role in ousting the decrepit, anti-worker Estrada regime," Beltran said.

He urged Metro Manila workers to troop to the EDSA Shrine while others may converge at noon at the Liwasang Bonifacio from where they will march to Mendiola Bridge at 1 p.m.

Beltran appealed to all Filipinos to join the anti-Estrada rallies or send actual support like food, water, cooking utensils, tents and other things that may be needed by those who keep vigil.

He said government employees under the umbrella of the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) are also expected to participate in the work stoppage.

The Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), led by chairman Filemon Lagman, said that his labor group is closely coordinating with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) to mobilize workers for the anti-Estrada protest rallies.

"We will not stop until Estrada steps down from office," said Bayan leader Teodoro Casiño, predicting that there will be more defections from the President’s Cabinet.

Laarni Encresa, another Bayan leader, said her group is also expected to stage rallies in key cities nationwide for citizens who are disgusted with Mr. Estrada and the stalled impeachment trial but cannot come to Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, police dismissed as "propaganda" reports that Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo Lacson has ordered the dispersal of rallies at the EDSA Shrine and reiterated that the police’s standing order is to maintain "maximum tolerance" at all times.

But Pampanga residents are accusing the Central Luzon police of harassing citizens who wish to join the rallies at the EDSA Shrine.

Residents report that police riot squads conduct inspections of vehicles at entry points along the North Expressway.

But Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Calinisan said the inspection of vehicles was to ensure the safety of the public and prevent lawless elements from committing terrorist acts at the rallies. – With Christina Mendez