Dear fellow labor rights defenders,
Greetings of peace and solidarity!
The long-awaited International Labor Organization (ILO) High-Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLTM) to the Philippines is finally happening this January 2023. Representatives of governments, employers and workers from the ILO will visit PH this coming January 23 -26, 2023 to investigate the reported alarming state of freedom of association in the country.
The Philippines has consistently ranked poorly in the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index, listing it as one of the 10 Worst Countries for workers, in the past six (6) years citing that trade unionists and labor rights advocates are being killed to silence them, preventing them from organizing and pushing for the welfare of the workers.
Meanwhile, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) has documented 56 victims of killings among workers, unionists and labor rights defenders. 27 unionists and labor organizers also remain in detention for trumped-up cases and planted evidence. Thousands of unionists fear for their safety due to continuous red-tagging, harassment and intimidation perpetrated by the NTF-ELCAC. Unionists, organizers and rights defenders are continuously being hounded in their homes and workplaces to force them to disaffiliate from their unions/organizations.
Various policies have been used against the people and led to further shrinking of our democratic space such as the Martial Law in Mindanao, Executive Order 70 that led to the creation of the NTF-ELCAC, the Joint Industrial Peace Concerns Office (JIPCO) and the Anti-Terrorism Law.
In this regard, the Church People Workers Solidarity (CWS), United Labor, Citizens Rights Watch Network (CRWN) and the Labor Rights Defenders Network (LARD-Net) join unionists, workers and rights defenders in its efforts in intensifying our campaign against violations of labor and human rights in the Philippines and in calling for justice and accountability.
We invite you to join us in an Ecumenical Solidarity Gathering for the Victims of Trade Union Repression on January 20, 2023 at Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Conference Hall (Taft, Manila), 3:00 in the afternoon. Together, let us pray that this mission be successful and instrumental in achieving justice for all victims of workers’ and human rights violations and in forging a more democratic space for Filipinos to be able to fully enjoy their rights and realize dignity at work.
Yours truly,
(Sgd)
| Most Rev. Gerardo Alminaza Co-Chairperson, CWS | Atty. Sonny Matula Co-Convenor, United Labor |
| Lean Porquia Lead Convenor, CWS | Kamz Deligente Co-Convenor, LARD Net |
