Aussie Workers Remember Luisita Massacre, Denounce Political Killings

The Philippine and Australian governments are not the only ones exploring various areas of partnership. Filipino and Australian workers are also strengthening their ties, with a firm commitment to support each other’s causes.

BY CAESAR BEN BASAN BAROÑA
Bulatlat

FOR THE FILIPINO MATES: Australian trade unionists rally in Sydney in support of Filipino workers against repression, poverty and political killings, Nov. 16

Last November 16, even the workers in Australia commemorated the 2004 Hacienda Luisita massacre where a number of striking Filipino workers, farmers and their supporters were gunned down by suspected state security forces. Australian union members joined Filipino groups in front of the Philippine consulate in Sydney not only to denounce what happened on November 16, 2004, but also the increasing incidence of political killings in the Philippines. They also called on the Philippine government to stop trade union repression and to release AnakPawis (Toiling Masses) Party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran.

Amid a heavy downpour of rain and strong wind, around 60 Australian workers heeded the call of their unions to show their support and solidarity with their counterparts in the Philippines. The coordinated action was attended by members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), Construction, Forestry, Mining and Electrical Union (CFMEU), Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU).

Philippines-Australia Union Links (PAUL) Secretary Peter Murphy worked with trade union leaders to organize the protest action. They expressed their solidarity and support for the families and workers at Hacienda Luisita. The protesters also stated that they are inspired by the courage and strong will of those affected by the Hacienda Luisita massacre.

Migrant Filipinos who attended are also members of Australian unions. Representatives from Migrante-Australia, Philippines-Australia Youth Organisation (PAYO), Philippines-Australia Women's Association (PAWA), Action for Peace and Development in the Philippines (APDP-Solidarity Group) also joined the rally.

Protest speakers urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to immediately release Beltran who has been detained since February 25, a day after the country was put under a state of national emergency. Despite the latter’s lifting, Beltran remains incarcerated.

Speakers in the rally included Unions New South Wales' Assistant Secretary Mark Lennon who also read a letter by Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) head Sharon Burrow. PAUL Chairperson Roger Jowett and AMWU NSW Branch Assistant Secretary Robyn Fortescue also spoke, along with representatives of CFMEU and MUA.

For his part, Tom Uren, former Minister of the Hawke Government and Australian Labour Party Deputy Leader in the 1980s, emphasized the importance of workers and unions working together and supporting each other all over the world.

Philippine Vice Consul Ferdinand Victoria went out of his office to receive the letters addressed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from ACTU and other trade unions. Victoria promised to forward the letters to Malacañang.

Greg Maniego, a Filipino and member of AMWU, called on all Filipinos and workers in Australia to support the Philippine trade union movement. Maniego and the rest of the workers at the Trafalgar Building Construction Company are still on strike. There are eight Filipino workers at Trafalgar who joined the strike and four of them were at the rally. Bulatlat

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