ECOP awardee is trade-union rights violator – KMU

PRESS RELEASE
24 June 2011

MANILA — “This award to trade-union rights violator Dole Philippines, ECOP is a spit in the face of the workers of Dole, the Filipino workers and people.”

This was the statement of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno as it slammed the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) for giving its Kapatiran sa Industriya (KAPATID) Award to Dole Philippines, saying the latter has a shameful record when it comes to “excellence in industrial relations” and “social accountability.”

“By giving its KAPATID Award to Dolefil, ECOP is drastically redefining ‘excellence in industrial relations’ and ‘social accountability’ to mean management takeover of the genuine workers’ union, militarization of work places, and non-stop campaign of harassment against militant unionists. ECOP’s message to the country’s employers is clear: bust unions and violate trade-union rights and you win the Kapatid Award,” said Roger Soluta, KMU secretary-general.

Last February 2010, Dolefil convened an illegal general assembly of its workers’ union to impeach the leadership of the militant union and replace the latter with one that is management-backed. It has carried out a non-stop harassment campaign against militant union leaders and has allowed the military to demonize and harass the militant workers’ union.

Noynoy, DOLE, ILO, MBC, FFW

A board of judges composed of Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and representatives of the International Labor Organization, Makati Business Club, Federation of Free Workers and the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations selected the KAPATID awardees. Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III himself conferred the award last May 5.

“Pres. Noynoy Aquino, Labor secretary Baldoz, the ILO, MBC, FFW and UP Solair are at best grossly misinformed about the real score in trade-union rights at Dolefil. They are at worst condoning Dolefil’s violation of its workers’ trade-union and human rights and are showing where they stand on issues of trade-union rights,” Soluta said.

“The unity shown by the Aquino government, big capitalists’ groups, fake labor centers, and pro-capitalist institutions who claim they are pro-worker in giving this award to Dolefil is utterly disgusting to the Filipino workers and people. They are again showing just what consistent enemies of workers’ rights and interests they are,” he added.