Jeepney drivers held a transport strike today as the Philippine government continues its plan to phase out not only a cultural icon in the country but the most common and affordable means of transportation for ordinary folk.
Among the cases the workers brought to the attention of the labor department is the harassment against Jaime Paglinawan, and several other workers rights advocates, whose photos appeared in a Facebook post, with a note that read, “they are the root cause of violence in our society.”
The country’s sugar workers called on Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reopen the Central Azucarera de Don Pedro, Inc. (CADPI) in Nasugbu, Batangas, to boost the country’s sugar supply and ethanol production.
The call comes from concerns of “possible bankruptcy of 4,584 sugarcane planters [and] less work for more than 10,000 sugarcane field workers.”
Women Workers United urged the ILO-HLTM delegates to defend the rights and freedoms of working women, and to hold the NTF-ELCAC and all perpetrators of violations of the right to organize and for freedom to associate accountable.
As the International Labour Organization (ILO) started its four-day High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) today, January 23, labor organizations are hopeful that violations of workers’ rights would be investigated.
Progressive groups sent off labor leaders as they set to participate in the three-day dialogue with the International Labor Organization (ILO) at the Diamond Hotel, Makati.
UMA Isabela documented at least 50 cases of forced surrenders. Meanwhile, the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) said that forced surrenders reduced their membership of 12,000 sugar workers to only around 6,000.
This book will certainly arm the consciousness and inspire a new generation of labor organizers and workers of the skills and attitude to challenge the odds.
This year, workers intensified their calls for a wage hike and the lowering of prices, saying that the pay should be able to cover the needs of a family of five.
“We are asking the (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) to look into this and abolish the OEC because this is an added burden and cost to our fellow migrant workers.”