Marching under the theme “Kalayaan Mula sa Pulitikong Kawatan,
Delubyong Kahirapan, Trahedyang mula sa Kalikasan”, some 5,000 members
of the broad labor coalition NAGKAISA (United) took to the streets today
to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the plebeian hero Andres
Bonifacio.
The protest, which assembled in the morning at the Mehan Garden for a
short program and wreath-laying, marched to Mendiola at noon to call on
President Aquino to urgently address corruption, poverty and climate
crisis.
The group also demanded that their hero be declared as the first president of the Philippine republic.
Turning in his grave
Josua Mata, NAGKAISA convenor and Alliance of Progressive Labor
(APL-SENTRO) Secretary-General, said the miserable state of Filipino
workers and the dark clouds of hopelessness hovering above the nation
are enough for Bonifacio to be turning in his grave.
“NAGKAISA thus call on the Aquino administration to address the
problems of low wages, contractualization, spiraling electricity and
water rates, uncontrolled oil prices, forcible demolition of informal
settlers and, political patronage and corruption,” said Mata.
He added that the State not only has the duty of providing full
protection but also of raising the dignity of labor. “One step to
dignify labor’s role in our struggle for independence is to rectify
historical errors and proclaim the late Supremo as the first president
of the Philippine republic,” he said.
Corruption and elite rule
Among the issues highlighted at the protest was the controversial
pork barrel scam. Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) president
Leody de Guzman said, “Workers are being made to believe the so-called
‘tuwid na daan’ of the Aquino regime. Yet, despite the all-too familiar
critique against the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for
breeding political patronage, this seemingly anti-corrupt administration
doubled it in 2010”. The Supreme Court declared the PDAF
unconstitutional last November 19.
De Guzman added, “We owe this victory against the PDAF to the
thousands that participated in the anti-pork barrel protests since the
August 26 Million People March in Luneta. Although we welcome the recent
decision of the Court, we call on the people to remain vigilant.
Traditional and elitist politicians like senate president Drilon and
budget secretary Abad are now seeking loopholes to retain the
legislative largesse and the entire pork barrel system. Don’t expect
political dynasties to go down without a fight”.
Poverty, low wages and contractualization
At the NAGKAISA mass action, speakers tackled gut-issues such as
contractualization, starvation, wages and high power rates. Gerry
Rivera, president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association
(PALEA) stated, “PALEA has lifted our picket lines because we have won
the battle at PAL through the collective solidarity of NAGKAISA and the
entire labor movement. But the fight for regular jobs is not yet over,
the scourge of contractualization remains as the number one threat to
workers’ rights and welfare”.
Last November 14, PAL management settled with PALEA which members
have daringly fought and resisted the company’s outsourcing,
contractualization program for 26 months. The settlement wins back the
union and its members’ status as regular employees. Renato Magtubo of
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), meanwhile, criticized the Aquino
administration for preserving starvation wages.
“Wage Order 18 of the NCR wage board is the lowest pay hike for
minimum wages in its entire history. Last May 2012, after Labor Day,
Noynoy echoed the capitalist blackmail line against wage increases by
threatening us with retrenchment and closures. This yellow government
maintains wages far below the cost of living in adherence to its tacit
policy of cheap labor,” Magtubo avowed.
Alan Tanjusay, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)
spokesperson added that the purchasing power of current wages is falling
due to spiraling commodity prices and electricity rates. He said,
“Electricity rates in the country are among the highest in Asia, causing
not only the unabated increase in prices and the decrease in real
wages. High power rates are the single most deterrent to investments
thereby preventing job creation that is essential to genuine inclusive
growth”.
Climate change and man-made calamities
Nagkaisa bewailed that a century and half hence the birth of Gat
Andres Bonifacio and the nation is still in shambles. Super typhoons
have become the new normal due to climate change and global warming. The
recent disasters brought by earthquakes and storms revealed the
government’s ineptitude to respond to natural calamities.
“Unless the Aquino administration becomes an active player in the
global campaign for climate justice, for lower carbon emissions from
advanced countries and for reparations to devastated Third World
countries, it will be forever remembered in history as the worst
man-made calamity to hit the nation,” Mata concluded.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Broad labor vows to carry on with the fight against poverty, corruption, climate crisis
On 150th Day of Bonifacio:
Marching under the theme "Kalayaan Mula sa Pulitikong Kawatan, Delubyong Kahirapan, Trahedyang mula sa Kalikasan", some 5,000 members of the broad labor coalition NAGKAISA (United) took to the streets today to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the plebeian hero Andres Bonifacio.
The protest, which assembled in the morning at the Mehan Garden for a short program and wreath-laying, marched to Mendiola at noon to call on President Aquino to urgently address corruption, poverty and climate crisis.
The group also demanded that their hero be declared as the first president of the Philippine republic.
Turning in his grave
Josua Mata, NAGKAISA convenor and Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL-SENTRO) Secretary-General, said the miserable state of Filipino workers and the dark clouds of hopelessness hovering above the nation are enough for Bonifacio to be turning in his grave.
“NAGKAISA thus call on the Aquino administration to address the problems of low wages, contractualization, spiraling electricity and water rates, uncontrolled oil prices, forcible demolition of informal settlers and, political patronage and corruption,” said Mata.
He added that the State not only has the duty of providing full protection but also of raising the dignity of labor. “One step to dignify labor’s role in our struggle for independence is to rectify historical errors and proclaim the late Supremo as the first president of the Philippine republic,” he said.
Corruption and elite rule
Among the issues highlighted at the protest was the controversial pork barrel scam. Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) president Leody de Guzman said, “Workers are being made to believe the so-called ‘tuwid na daan’ of the Aquino regime. Yet, despite the all-too familiar critique against the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for breeding political patronage, this seemingly anti-corrupt administration doubled it in 2010”. The Supreme Court declared the PDAF unconstitutional last November 19.
De Guzman added, “We owe this victory against the PDAF to the thousands that participated in the anti-pork barrel protests since the August 26 Million People March in Luneta. Although we welcome the recent decision of the Court, we call on the people to remain vigilant. Traditional and elitist politicians like senate president Drilon and budget secretary Abad are now seeking loopholes to retain the legislative largesse and the entire pork barrel system. Don’t expect political dynasties to go down without a fight”.
Poverty, low wages and contractualization
At the NAGKAISA mass action, speakers tackled gut-issues such as contractualization, starvation, wages and high power rates.
Gerry Rivera, president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) stated, “PALEA has lifted our picket lines because we have won the battle at PAL through the collective solidarity of NAGKAISA and the entire labor movement. But the fight for regular jobs is not yet over, the scourge of contractualization remains as the number one threat to workers’ rights and welfare”.
Last November 14, PAL management settled with PALEA which members have daringly fought and resisted the company’s outsourcing/contractualization program for 26 months. The settlement wins back the union and its members' status as regular employees.
Renato Magtubo of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), meanwhile, criticized the Aquino administration for preserving starvation wages.
“Wage Order 18 of the NCR wage board is the lowest pay hike for minimum wages in its entire history. Last May 2012, after Labor Day, Noynoy echoed the capitalist blackmail line against wage increases by threatening us with retrenchment and closures. This yellow government maintains wages far below the cost of living in adherence to its tacit policy of cheap labor,” Magtubo avowed.
Climate change and man-made calamities
Nagkaisa bewailed that a century and half hence the birth of Gat Andres Bonifacio and the nation is still in shambles. Super typhoons have become the new normal due to climate change and global warming. The recent disasters brought by earthquakes and storms revealed the government’s ineptitude to respond to natural calamities.
“Unless the Aquino administration becomes an active player in the global campaign for climate justice, for lower carbon emissions from advanced countries and for reparations to devastated Third World countries, it will be forever remembered in history as the worst man-made calamity to hit the nation,” Mata concluded.
Marching under the theme "Kalayaan Mula sa Pulitikong Kawatan, Delubyong Kahirapan, Trahedyang mula sa Kalikasan", some 5,000 members of the broad labor coalition NAGKAISA (United) took to the streets today to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the plebeian hero Andres Bonifacio.
The protest, which assembled in the morning at the Mehan Garden for a short program and wreath-laying, marched to Mendiola at noon to call on President Aquino to urgently address corruption, poverty and climate crisis.
The group also demanded that their hero be declared as the first president of the Philippine republic.
Turning in his grave
Josua Mata, NAGKAISA convenor and Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL-SENTRO) Secretary-General, said the miserable state of Filipino workers and the dark clouds of hopelessness hovering above the nation are enough for Bonifacio to be turning in his grave.
“NAGKAISA thus call on the Aquino administration to address the problems of low wages, contractualization, spiraling electricity and water rates, uncontrolled oil prices, forcible demolition of informal settlers and, political patronage and corruption,” said Mata.
He added that the State not only has the duty of providing full protection but also of raising the dignity of labor. “One step to dignify labor’s role in our struggle for independence is to rectify historical errors and proclaim the late Supremo as the first president of the Philippine republic,” he said.
Corruption and elite rule
Among the issues highlighted at the protest was the controversial pork barrel scam. Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) president Leody de Guzman said, “Workers are being made to believe the so-called ‘tuwid na daan’ of the Aquino regime. Yet, despite the all-too familiar critique against the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for breeding political patronage, this seemingly anti-corrupt administration doubled it in 2010”. The Supreme Court declared the PDAF unconstitutional last November 19.
De Guzman added, “We owe this victory against the PDAF to the thousands that participated in the anti-pork barrel protests since the August 26 Million People March in Luneta. Although we welcome the recent decision of the Court, we call on the people to remain vigilant. Traditional and elitist politicians like senate president Drilon and budget secretary Abad are now seeking loopholes to retain the legislative largesse and the entire pork barrel system. Don’t expect political dynasties to go down without a fight”.
Poverty, low wages and contractualization
At the NAGKAISA mass action, speakers tackled gut-issues such as contractualization, starvation, wages and high power rates.
Gerry Rivera, president of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) stated, “PALEA has lifted our picket lines because we have won the battle at PAL through the collective solidarity of NAGKAISA and the entire labor movement. But the fight for regular jobs is not yet over, the scourge of contractualization remains as the number one threat to workers’ rights and welfare”.
Last November 14, PAL management settled with PALEA which members have daringly fought and resisted the company’s outsourcing/contractualization program for 26 months. The settlement wins back the union and its members' status as regular employees.
Renato Magtubo of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), meanwhile, criticized the Aquino administration for preserving starvation wages.
“Wage Order 18 of the NCR wage board is the lowest pay hike for minimum wages in its entire history. Last May 2012, after Labor Day, Noynoy echoed the capitalist blackmail line against wage increases by threatening us with retrenchment and closures. This yellow government maintains wages far below the cost of living in adherence to its tacit policy of cheap labor,” Magtubo avowed.
Alan Tanjusay, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesperson added that the purchasing power of current wages is falling due to spiraling commodity prices and electricity rates. He said, “Electricity rates in the country are among the highest in Asia, causing not only the unabated increase in prices and the decrease in real wages. High power rates are the single most deterrent to investments thereby preventing job creation that is essential to genuine inclusive growth”.
Climate change and man-made calamities
Nagkaisa bewailed that a century and half hence the birth of Gat Andres Bonifacio and the nation is still in shambles. Super typhoons have become the new normal due to climate change and global warming. The recent disasters brought by earthquakes and storms revealed the government’s ineptitude to respond to natural calamities.
“Unless the Aquino administration becomes an active player in the global campaign for climate justice, for lower carbon emissions from advanced countries and for reparations to devastated Third World countries, it will be forever remembered in history as the worst man-made calamity to hit the nation,” Mata concluded.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Bill to prohibit credit card companies from imposing hidden charges
A lawmaker has filed a bill prohibiting credit card companies, banks and similar institutions from imposing hidden penalties or costs on purchases and cash advances made by their clients.
Rep. Raymond Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP) filed House Bill 2551 as he noted the urgent need to protect the consuming public from the exorbitant rates being imposed by the credit card companies and banks.
Mendoza said the monthly rates range from 2.5 to 3.5 percent for cumulative non-compounded interest rates of 30 to 42 percent per year.
"With the penalty, late payment fees and other charges compounding, the rate is more than what '5-6' operators charge," Mendoza said.
Mendoza cited the ruling of the Supreme Court on the case of depositor Ileana Macalinao versus Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) on September 19, 2009.
Mendoza quoted the High Tribunal's decision, which ruled, "We are of the opinion that the interest rate and penalty charge should be equitably reduced to 2 percent per month or 24 percent per annum."
Mendoza said the bill will put into effect the cap on interest rates and penalty charges as ruled by the Supreme Court.
Mendoza said the bill prohibits credit card companies from charging fees for exceeding the cardholder's credit limit.
"Such fees are unconscionable since the credit card companies themselves authorized individual transactions which resulted in cardholders exceeding their credit limits," Mendoza said.
Under the bill, interest rates imposed by credit card companies on purchases and cash advances made through such facility shall in no case be higher than 1 percent per month or 12 percent per annum, without compounding.
Surcharges or penalties shall likewise be limited to a ceiling of 1 percent per month, without compounding.
Rep. Raymond Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP) filed House Bill 2551 as he noted the urgent need to protect the consuming public from the exorbitant rates being imposed by the credit card companies and banks.
Mendoza said the monthly rates range from 2.5 to 3.5 percent for cumulative non-compounded interest rates of 30 to 42 percent per year.
"With the penalty, late payment fees and other charges compounding, the rate is more than what '5-6' operators charge," Mendoza said.
Mendoza cited the ruling of the Supreme Court on the case of depositor Ileana Macalinao versus Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) on September 19, 2009.
Mendoza quoted the High Tribunal's decision, which ruled, "We are of the opinion that the interest rate and penalty charge should be equitably reduced to 2 percent per month or 24 percent per annum."
Mendoza said the bill will put into effect the cap on interest rates and penalty charges as ruled by the Supreme Court.
Mendoza said the bill prohibits credit card companies from charging fees for exceeding the cardholder's credit limit.
"Such fees are unconscionable since the credit card companies themselves authorized individual transactions which resulted in cardholders exceeding their credit limits," Mendoza said.
Under the bill, interest rates imposed by credit card companies on purchases and cash advances made through such facility shall in no case be higher than 1 percent per month or 12 percent per annum, without compounding.
Surcharges or penalties shall likewise be limited to a ceiling of 1 percent per month, without compounding.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Barbers and make up artists to get SSS membership soon
A lawmaker has filed a bill protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of workers in the wellness centers, beauty and grooming salons, fitness gyms, spas and massage parlors by facilitating their membership in the Social Security System (SSS).
Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP) said under House Bill 2550, workers in wellness centers, beauty salons, fitness gyms and other interrelated services should be removed from the definition of self-employed under the SSS law.
Mendoza said barbershops, salons, spas, massage parlors, wellness or fitness centers or gyms, and any other similar entity to which the workers regularly report to render their services shall be considered their employers.
"Their employers should deduct and withhold from them the average monthly commissions, earnings, compensation or payment, as an employee's contribution to the SSS," Mendoza said.
Mendoza said the bill, which seeks to amend Republic Act 1161 or the Social Security Law, removes the workers from the definition of self-employed under the SSS law irrespective of the contractual arrangement or their non-recognition as employees.
According to Mendoza, workers of wellness centers or of the barbershops, or any other similar entity, lease the facilities of the centers and bring their own set of clients.
Mendoza said the workers, who are being paid on a per-head basis, earn a commission or share in the payments due from their clients. They are not required to observe office hours or report to the company everyday, and do not devote their time exclusively for one company for they are free to work on any other wellness facility, or to engage in any other employment.
"Under the bill, these workers are considered self-employed, thus they pay their entire SSS membership dues, and there is no one to pay the heftier employer counterpart," Mendoza said.
"Irrespective of the contractual arrangement of their non-recognition as employees, or of the kind or source of the commissions, earnings, compensation or payment for their services, barbers, hairstylist, manicurists, make-up artists, masseuse, reflexologists, gym trainers, fitness instructors or dieticians shall not be considered as self-employed," Mendoza added. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP) said under House Bill 2550, workers in wellness centers, beauty salons, fitness gyms and other interrelated services should be removed from the definition of self-employed under the SSS law.
Mendoza said barbershops, salons, spas, massage parlors, wellness or fitness centers or gyms, and any other similar entity to which the workers regularly report to render their services shall be considered their employers.
"Their employers should deduct and withhold from them the average monthly commissions, earnings, compensation or payment, as an employee's contribution to the SSS," Mendoza said.
Mendoza said the bill, which seeks to amend Republic Act 1161 or the Social Security Law, removes the workers from the definition of self-employed under the SSS law irrespective of the contractual arrangement or their non-recognition as employees.
"These workers would be able to continue being an active SSS member and reap the benefits while they are still working or upon their retirement," Mendoza said.
According to Mendoza, workers of wellness centers or of the barbershops, or any other similar entity, lease the facilities of the centers and bring their own set of clients.
Mendoza said the workers, who are being paid on a per-head basis, earn a commission or share in the payments due from their clients. They are not required to observe office hours or report to the company everyday, and do not devote their time exclusively for one company for they are free to work on any other wellness facility, or to engage in any other employment.
"Under the bill, these workers are considered self-employed, thus they pay their entire SSS membership dues, and there is no one to pay the heftier employer counterpart," Mendoza said.
"Irrespective of the contractual arrangement of their non-recognition as employees, or of the kind or source of the commissions, earnings, compensation or payment for their services, barbers, hairstylist, manicurists, make-up artists, masseuse, reflexologists, gym trainers, fitness instructors or dieticians shall not be considered as self-employed," Mendoza added. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Solon seeks additional separation pay for employees terminated due to disease
TUCP Party-List Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza has filed a bill seeking to increase the separation pay of employees terminated due to disease.
House Bill 2548 amends Article 284 of Presidential Decree 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Mendoza sought the increase as he stressed that employees terminated due to disease must be treated with compassion for they may never be able to find gainful employment again.
The Labor Code of the Philippines or Presidential Decree 442 as amended, lists and limits the authorized causes for employment termination.
Article 283 of PD 442 allows employer to terminate employment or reduce the total number of personnel due to installation of labor saving devices, redundancy, and retrenchment to prevent losses, and cessation of operations or closure of the establishment. Article 284 of PD 442, on the other hand, allows termination on the grounds of disease.
"In all instances of authorized causes of termination, the separation pay ranges from payment of half month to one month salary for every year of service," Mendoza said.
The measure seeks the increase of separation pay of employees terminated due to disease, from one month's salary or one-half month salary for every year of service, to the equivalent of at least six months salary or two months salary for every year of service, whichever is greater.
Also, the bill institutionalizes the issuance of a certification by a competent public health authority that the disease is of such nature or at such stage that it cannot be cured within a period of six months even with proper medical treatment before an employee can be terminated for the disease.
The measure also mandates that should the employee terminated due to sickness regain his health, he shall be entitled to reinstatement to his or her former position without loss of seniority.
House Bill 2548 amends Article 284 of Presidential Decree 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Mendoza sought the increase as he stressed that employees terminated due to disease must be treated with compassion for they may never be able to find gainful employment again.
The Labor Code of the Philippines or Presidential Decree 442 as amended, lists and limits the authorized causes for employment termination.
Article 283 of PD 442 allows employer to terminate employment or reduce the total number of personnel due to installation of labor saving devices, redundancy, and retrenchment to prevent losses, and cessation of operations or closure of the establishment. Article 284 of PD 442, on the other hand, allows termination on the grounds of disease.
"In all instances of authorized causes of termination, the separation pay ranges from payment of half month to one month salary for every year of service," Mendoza said.
"It is the policy of the State to afford full protection to labor and continuously endeavor to provide for security of tenure to workers and ameliorate the welfare of those who have been removed from employment for causes other than their own fault," Mendoza added.
The measure seeks the increase of separation pay of employees terminated due to disease, from one month's salary or one-half month salary for every year of service, to the equivalent of at least six months salary or two months salary for every year of service, whichever is greater.
Also, the bill institutionalizes the issuance of a certification by a competent public health authority that the disease is of such nature or at such stage that it cannot be cured within a period of six months even with proper medical treatment before an employee can be terminated for the disease.
The measure also mandates that should the employee terminated due to sickness regain his health, he shall be entitled to reinstatement to his or her former position without loss of seniority.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Bill to give foreign workers the right to self-organization
A lawmaker has filed a bill extending to foreign workers the right to self-organization while in the Philippines.
Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), author of House Bill 2543, said the right to self-organization is a universal human and worker’s right and as an International Labour Organization (ILO) member-country, the Philippines recognizes the right to self-organization, with the ratification of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association.
The bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 442 as amended, also known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Mendoza said the Philippines should adhere to the principle of equal treatment of migrant workers and national workers as regards to trade union membership and collective bargaining.
"The trade union movement draws strength from the solidarity of workers and their organizations, whether inside or outside the country or both," Mendoza said.
Under the measure, all aliens, natural or judicial, as well as foreign organizations, with valid permits issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), may engage directly or indirectly in all forms of trade union activities but only through normal contacts between Philippine labor unions and recognized international labor centers.
The bill provides that foreign individual, organization or entities may give any donations, grants or other forms of assistance, in cash or in kind, directly or indirectly, to any labor organization, group of workers or any auxiliary, such as cooperatives, credit unions and institutions engaged in research, education or communication, in relation to trade union activities. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), author of House Bill 2543, said the right to self-organization is a universal human and worker’s right and as an International Labour Organization (ILO) member-country, the Philippines recognizes the right to self-organization, with the ratification of ILO Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association.
The bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 442 as amended, also known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Mendoza said the Philippines should adhere to the principle of equal treatment of migrant workers and national workers as regards to trade union membership and collective bargaining.
"The trade union movement draws strength from the solidarity of workers and their organizations, whether inside or outside the country or both," Mendoza said.
Under the measure, all aliens, natural or judicial, as well as foreign organizations, with valid permits issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), may engage directly or indirectly in all forms of trade union activities but only through normal contacts between Philippine labor unions and recognized international labor centers.
The bill provides that foreign individual, organization or entities may give any donations, grants or other forms of assistance, in cash or in kind, directly or indirectly, to any labor organization, group of workers or any auxiliary, such as cooperatives, credit unions and institutions engaged in research, education or communication, in relation to trade union activities. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
NAGKAISA! lauds settlement of PAL-PALEA dispute
We welcome with great enthusiasm the amicable resolution of the PAL-PALEA labor dispute this afternoon. We congratulate both the new management of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the leadership of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) for coming into an agreement that finally settled the country’s biggest labor dispute in recent years.
The labor movement that we represent considers this as one positive news amid the harrowing devastations brought upon us by typhoon Yolanda. It can be recalled that PALEA members were locked out and outsourced at the height of typhoon Pedring on September 27, 2011. Now after Yolanda and with this final agreement, PALEAns are assured of re-employment as regular workers and getting a much improved financial package than what was granted to them by the labor department and the Office of the President (OP). This is sweet victory, indeed.
Yet this is not just a victory for PALEA. This is likewise victory for Nagkaisa!, in fact the first for the coalition’s campaign against precarious work and contractualization. When we embraced PALEA’s call, “Ang laban ng PALEA ay laban ng lahat!”, we thereby considered this struggle as our own. This is victory to all Filipinos who continue to struggle for decent work.
Nagkaisa! regards this victory as an inspiration in pushing further for the enactment of the security of tenure bill, reforms in wage fixing mechanisms, and other agenda that promote the interest and welfare of Filipino workers.
The NAGKAISA Convenors: Alliance of Free Workers (AFW), All Filipino Workers Confederation (AFWC), Automobile Industry Workers’ Alliance (AIWA), Associated Labor Unions (ALU), Associated Labor Unions – Association of Professional Supervisory Officers Technical Employees Union (ALU-APSOTEU), ALU-Metal, Associated Labor Unions-Philippine Seafarers’ Union (ALU-PSU), ALU-Textile, ALU-Transport, Associated Labor Unions-Visayas Mindanao Confederation of Trade Unions (ALU-VIMCOMTU), Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), Association of Trade Unions (ATU), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU), Confederation of Labor and Allied Social Services (CLASS), Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS), Federation of Coca-Cola Unions (FCCU), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Kapisanan ng Maralitang Obrero (KAMAO), Katipunan, Pambansang Kilusan sa Paggawa (KILUSAN), Kapisanan ng mga Kawani sa Koreo sa Pilipinas (KKKP), League of Independent Bank Organizations (LIBO), Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN), MARINO, National Association of Broadcast Unions (NABU), National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), National Association of Trade Unions (NATU), National Confederation of Labor (NCL), National Confederation of Transportworkers’ Union (NCTU), National Union of Portworkers in the Philippines (NUPP), National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN), Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), Postal Employees Union of the Philippines (PEUP), Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA), Pinag-isang Tinig at Lakas ng Anakpawis (PIGLAS), Philippine Integrated Industries Labor Union (PILLU), Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association (PIPSEA), Partido Manggagawa (PM), Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA), Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization (PTGWO), Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and, Workers Solidarity Network (WSN)
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Belmonte and House leaders spearhead orchestrated response to Yolanda disaster, call for bayanihan
The House of Representatives has been actively working even during the congressional recess as it was able to generate quick response from lawmakers regarding preparations for the resumption of sessions on Monday and outlining the chamber’s agenda that includes two priority resolutions which aim to help victims of super typhoon Yolanda and other calamities.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said over the past few days, the House leadership conducted a series of meetings with various congressmen and various bodies in preparation for the opening of sessions, which will be on Monday.
"The House Leadership, taking the cue from these various consultations, decided on HR 446 and HJR 7 that have already been filed," said the Speaker during the Ugnayan press conference.
The House leadership headed by the Speaker filed House Resolution 446 "Providing Financial Assistance To The Victims Of Typhoon Yolanda" and House Joint Resolution 7 "Waiving All Rights To The Unreleased Balance Of The 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) And Authorizing The Executive Department To Realign The Same To The Calamity Fund."
By House leadership, Belmonte said he means the Speaker, Majority Floor Leader, Deputy Speakers and the heads of all the party groups comprising the majority in the House. He said there was also consultation with the House minority, who were also invited to the meetings.
Both HR 446 and HJR 7 are co-authored by Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Sergio Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla and Roberto Puno, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales, Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), Enrique Cojuangco (1st District, Tarlac), Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District, Batangas), Eleandro Madrona (Lone District, Romblon), Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. (4th District, Cavite), Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. (2nd District, Davao del Norte), Rolando Andaya, Jr. (1st District, Camarines Sur), Mar-Len Abigail Binay (2nd District, Makati City), Nicanor Briones (Party-list, AGAP) and Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP).
The Speaker said the House has a third proposal, which cannot be put into writing yet as the 2014 national budget is still pending. This involves the realignment of certain items to create a rehabilitation fund.
“The budget has just passed first reading and is still pending second reading in the Senate, but eventually it will go to the bicam committee meeting and during the bicameral meeting we would like to take steps to realign certain items there which we are trying to study now through the Appropriations Committee to create a rehabilitation fund. Maybe we can grant that the President has the power to realign as we maintain he has, but nonetheless Congress should take steps in view of these tragedies and calamities that have been happening in the country. So, we decided to take the initiative to create that rehabilitation fund and we will see to it that the 2014 budget will not leave the bicam committee without the plan there. The rehabilitation program has minimum of P10 billion but our own version would like it to hit at least P20 billion,” the Speaker said.
Belmonte said a meeting on Monday preceded the meeting of the House leadership regarding HR 446 and HJR 7 on Tuesday with members of the Oversight on Disaster Risk Reduction headed by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon for the House panel.
Prior to this, the Speaker said the House also conducted a meeting with a group of economists headed by former National Economic development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Cielito Habito, in which possible legislations that would support the concept of a more competitive Philippines, were discussed.
He said the House also had a meeting with a group of people associated with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during the term of President Fidel Ramos, including Secretary Salvador "Jun" Enriquez, who served as the DBM Secretary for the entire six years of the Ramos Administration.
Aside from the meetings, the House also initiated calls to various sectors to help in raising calamity fund for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
"I am calling on residents of Metro Manila, starting with Metro Manila local government units most of whom, if not all, are well funded to contribute to the calamity fund, and we are also calling on business establishments to contribute," said Belmonte.
He said the House is offering Congress as one place where people can drop off their donations. "We will make sure that whatever is dropped off here by way of dry goods, by way of used clothing or anything else...we will see to it that these will be sent to the appropriate places," he said.
Meanwhile, as part of the discussions in the oversight committee on risk reduction, Sarmiento said House members have asked how they can help the calamity-stricken areas in the country. He said an orchestrated response during this emergency phase is what is being planned with the involvement of the different House members.
Meanwhile, the Speaker said House members have also been organizing local officials in the provinces and initiated gathering of relief goods for Yolanda's victims.
"The Governor and Congressmen of La Union called me up to say that they are organizing their whole province to get goods. So I am talking about Governor Manuel Ortega, Congressman Victor Ortega and Congressman Franny Eriguel and Abono Rep. Francisco Emmanuel 'Pacoy' Ortega III. All of them have organized the mayors of their province and they have gathered relief goods. I think that is terrific, and I wish other people who are very fortunate will do the same thing," said the Speaker. - Rowena B. Bundang, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said over the past few days, the House leadership conducted a series of meetings with various congressmen and various bodies in preparation for the opening of sessions, which will be on Monday.
"The House Leadership, taking the cue from these various consultations, decided on HR 446 and HJR 7 that have already been filed," said the Speaker during the Ugnayan press conference.
The House leadership headed by the Speaker filed House Resolution 446 "Providing Financial Assistance To The Victims Of Typhoon Yolanda" and House Joint Resolution 7 "Waiving All Rights To The Unreleased Balance Of The 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) And Authorizing The Executive Department To Realign The Same To The Calamity Fund."
By House leadership, Belmonte said he means the Speaker, Majority Floor Leader, Deputy Speakers and the heads of all the party groups comprising the majority in the House. He said there was also consultation with the House minority, who were also invited to the meetings.
Both HR 446 and HJR 7 are co-authored by Deputy Speakers Henedina Abad, Giorgidi Aggabao, Sergio Apostol, Pangalian Balindong, Carlos Padilla and Roberto Puno, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales, Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora, Mel Senen Sarmiento (1st District, Western Samar), Enrique Cojuangco (1st District, Tarlac), Mark Llandro Mendoza (4th District, Batangas), Eleandro Madrona (Lone District, Romblon), Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. (4th District, Cavite), Antonio Lagdameo, Jr. (2nd District, Davao del Norte), Rolando Andaya, Jr. (1st District, Camarines Sur), Mar-Len Abigail Binay (2nd District, Makati City), Nicanor Briones (Party-list, AGAP) and Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP).
The Speaker said the House has a third proposal, which cannot be put into writing yet as the 2014 national budget is still pending. This involves the realignment of certain items to create a rehabilitation fund.
“The budget has just passed first reading and is still pending second reading in the Senate, but eventually it will go to the bicam committee meeting and during the bicameral meeting we would like to take steps to realign certain items there which we are trying to study now through the Appropriations Committee to create a rehabilitation fund. Maybe we can grant that the President has the power to realign as we maintain he has, but nonetheless Congress should take steps in view of these tragedies and calamities that have been happening in the country. So, we decided to take the initiative to create that rehabilitation fund and we will see to it that the 2014 budget will not leave the bicam committee without the plan there. The rehabilitation program has minimum of P10 billion but our own version would like it to hit at least P20 billion,” the Speaker said.
Belmonte said a meeting on Monday preceded the meeting of the House leadership regarding HR 446 and HJR 7 on Tuesday with members of the Oversight on Disaster Risk Reduction headed by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon for the House panel.
Prior to this, the Speaker said the House also conducted a meeting with a group of economists headed by former National Economic development Authority (NEDA) Director-General Cielito Habito, in which possible legislations that would support the concept of a more competitive Philippines, were discussed.
He said the House also had a meeting with a group of people associated with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during the term of President Fidel Ramos, including Secretary Salvador "Jun" Enriquez, who served as the DBM Secretary for the entire six years of the Ramos Administration.
Aside from the meetings, the House also initiated calls to various sectors to help in raising calamity fund for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
"I am calling on residents of Metro Manila, starting with Metro Manila local government units most of whom, if not all, are well funded to contribute to the calamity fund, and we are also calling on business establishments to contribute," said Belmonte.
He said the House is offering Congress as one place where people can drop off their donations. "We will make sure that whatever is dropped off here by way of dry goods, by way of used clothing or anything else...we will see to it that these will be sent to the appropriate places," he said.
Meanwhile, as part of the discussions in the oversight committee on risk reduction, Sarmiento said House members have asked how they can help the calamity-stricken areas in the country. He said an orchestrated response during this emergency phase is what is being planned with the involvement of the different House members.
Meanwhile, the Speaker said House members have also been organizing local officials in the provinces and initiated gathering of relief goods for Yolanda's victims.
"The Governor and Congressmen of La Union called me up to say that they are organizing their whole province to get goods. So I am talking about Governor Manuel Ortega, Congressman Victor Ortega and Congressman Franny Eriguel and Abono Rep. Francisco Emmanuel 'Pacoy' Ortega III. All of them have organized the mayors of their province and they have gathered relief goods. I think that is terrific, and I wish other people who are very fortunate will do the same thing," said the Speaker. - Rowena B. Bundang, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Friday, November 8, 2013
Bill to give members of cooperatives right to organize union
A lawmaker has filed a bill granting members of cooperatives in the country the right to form unions.
Rep. Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), author of House Bill 2542, said members of cooperatives should also enjoy similar rights as those of other enterprises, including the right to establish and join organizations of their own choosing.
Mendoza said self-organization should be guaranteed to all workers without distinction or qualification.
The bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Mendoza said cooperatives must respect the rights of their workers to organize or join labor organizations.
Mendoza said the proposed amendment will bring Philippine Law into compliance with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association, which the Philippines is obliged to observed as a member-state of the ILO.
Under the measure, all persons employed in cooperatives, whether operating for profit or not, shall have the right to self-organization and to form, join, or assist labor organizations of their own choosing for purposes of collective bargaining. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
Rep. Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), author of House Bill 2542, said members of cooperatives should also enjoy similar rights as those of other enterprises, including the right to establish and join organizations of their own choosing.
Mendoza said self-organization should be guaranteed to all workers without distinction or qualification.
The bill seeks to amend Presidential Decree 442, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.
Mendoza said cooperatives must respect the rights of their workers to organize or join labor organizations.
"The cooperative's member-owner should guarantee their workers' right to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining," Mendoza said.
Mendoza said the proposed amendment will bring Philippine Law into compliance with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 87 on Freedom of Association, which the Philippines is obliged to observed as a member-state of the ILO.
Under the measure, all persons employed in cooperatives, whether operating for profit or not, shall have the right to self-organization and to form, join, or assist labor organizations of their own choosing for purposes of collective bargaining. - Jazmin S. Camero, Media Relations Service-PRIB
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