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The protesters said that no amount of reports or studies could cloak the workers’ slide into worse conditions, and the more appalling poverty in urban poor communities where they also live.
The Stop and Go coalition said the new joint order imposing higher fines and penalties affects not only drivers and operators of public utility vehicles but private motorists as well.
On top of Kapunan being out on bail, and only two of the accused in custody, “some of the perpetrators of the beastly torture and cold-blooded murders are still at large, and some of the widely-perceived masterminds are even also implicated in other past shenanigans and present anomalies including the Pork Barrel scam.” – Edre Olalia, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
RELATED STORY | ‘Jail Kapunan, Enrile’ – workers’ group
BIEN Philippines, a duly certified BPO employees association, explained that such shuttle services could help ensure the safety of call center agents and BPO employees especially since they work in shifting schedules and many in graveyard shifts.
“Let there be no doubt about it: We are serious in wanting the EDCA to be junked. We do not want any of its provisions implemented. The Supreme Court should side with the Filipino workers and people on this most important issue.” – KMU
“What we are seeing here is not just the violation of workers’ rights but the government’s collusion with big capitalists as shown in its inaction on labor disputes. The government is standing idly by as violations of trade-union rights continue to be committed.” – KMU
“If Ka Bel were alive today, he would be here with us fighting the union-busting drive of many capitalists in collusion with the DOLE and the Aquino government. We are giving him the highest tribute in continuing the struggle for workers’ rights, to which he devoted his life.”
'I continue to admire his acts for meaningful change.' – Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Ejercito
“It is like we are under martial law in the economic zone and in the workplace.” – Reden Alcantara, NXP workers union president.
“We want to bring back to millions of workers the dignity of regular employment with its attendant living wage, union rights and benefits like maternity leave and health insurance.” – Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emmi de Jesus
"No matter how much you trim the statistics of the unemployed, if you don't grab the problem by its roots, it will still sprout." -- A college grad last year who hopes to find a job
NXP Semi-conductors, Inc. accused the workers of holding an ‘illegal strike’ because they refused to work on April 9, 17, 18 and May 1, all government-declared holidays.
"While many thought forming unions is detrimental to workers, genuine unions fight for workers’ rights and against abuses in the workplace." - union leader
“The massive unemployment among the youth is testament to the Aquino regime’s failure to bring change to the lives of Filipinos. Millions of our countrymen are hungrier than ever, with most people remaining jobless, and those with jobs are living with barely sufficient wages.” –Kabataan Party Rep. Terry Ridon
Bulatlat.com asked netizens to tweet/tag us their Labor Day wish and here are their answers.
For the first time in the Philippines, workers from various companies and labor advocates agreed to use a common hashtag to amplify workers’ voices in digital platforms.
“The management is harassing and threatening workers, telling them they held a concerted action -- an illegal strike -- when the workers only elected to respect the Philippine holiday. They're just forcing us to work.”
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