No problem with workers’ rights in PH, says Baldoz

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz: No problem. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz has downplayed the assessment of an international workers’ rights organization that the Philippines is among the worst countries in the world for workers.

“It does not necessarily concern the workers’ rights since we don’t have problems with workers’ rights. We can say the industry advocacy for workers in the country is very good,” said Baldoz, referring to the 2014 Global Rights Index of the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

ITUC ranked 139 countries based on internationally recognized indicators to assess where workers’ rights, such as democratic rights, decent wages, safer working conditions and secure jobs, are best protected, in law and in practice.
Countries were ranked from 1 (best) to 5 (worst) based on 97 indicators related to workers’ rights. The evaluation was conducted from April 2013 to March 2014.

The Philippines obtained a rating of 5, which meant that legislation protecting workers’ rights were in place but workers effectively had no access to such rights, thus exposing them to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices.
“In terms of quality of work in the country, I can say we are doing OK. The same goes with what they are saying about labor rights,” Baldoz said.

But she said that if there was one aspect of the ITUC findings that was accurate, it would be the problem of the extrajudicial killings of workers.

According to Baldoz, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has committed to fast-track the investigation and hearing of extrajudicial killings involving workers by creating special prosecutor teams.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), meanwhile, said the ITUC findings only confirmed what labor groups in the country had been saying all along.

“The TUCP confirms the findings of the ITUC that the Philippines is indeed one of the worst places to work in,” said TUCP president Democrito Mendoza in a statement.

The TUCP underscored the high unemployment in the country, adding that it expected this to increase because there was no new infrastructure to attract large and jobs-creating investments. Inquirer

Global Rights Index: PH rates among 24 worst countries

The Aquino administration has given the Philippines a dubious distinction as one of the worst countries to work in, the Trade Union Congress of Philippines said on Wednesday.

Citing the findings of the International Trade Union Confederation, TUCP president Democrito Mendoza said that 73 percent of the 39 million labor force are not regularized: they work as contractual for five months while majority of them do not receive lawful minimum wage.

“They are also fired from their jobs if they try to form a union that can bargain higher wages and benefits from employer profits,” the TUCP said.

The ITUC’s Global Rights Index rates countries on a scale of 1 (best) to 5 (worst) depending on their compliance with collective labor rights. This is done by evaluating 97 indicators, such as workers’ rights to establish or join unions, to collective bargaining and to strike.

The Philippines scored 5, which means there is “no guarantee of rights,” along with 23 other countries.

Countries with the rating of 5 are the worst countries in the world to work in. While the legislation may spell out certain rights workers have effectively no access to these rights and are therefore exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices,” the ITUC report said.

“Without security of tenure, Filipino workers also suffer from lack of social protection services provided by the government. Government sell basic services to private ownership who exist to earn profits and not serve the public good,” Mendoza said.

Filipino workers also don’t have unemployment insurance to protect them when they lost their jobs; health insurance is high and unstable.

“Workers are also vulnerable to unstable prices of basic commodities. Sometimes government failed to assure supply and workers often suffer for it,” the TUCP said.

Based on the report, having a 1 rating means collective labor rights are “generally guaranteed”, and violations against workers do not occur on a regular basis.

“Countries such as Denmark and Uruguay led the way through their strong labor laws, but perhaps surprisingly, the likes of Greece, the United States and Hong Kong, lagged behind,” said ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow.

“A country’s level of development proved to be a poor indicator of whether it respected basic rights to bargain collectively, strike for decent conditions, or simply join a union at all,” she added.

The ITUC noted that workers in at least 53 countries have either been dismissed or suspended from their jobs “for attempting to negotiate better working conditions.”

While many countries recognize the right to strike, ITUC noted that at least 87 countries exclude certain types of workers from this right. There are also 37 countries that impose fines or even jail time for workers who go on strikes.

“In countries such as Qatar or Saudi Arabia, the exclusion of migrant workers from collective labor rights means that effectively more than 90 per cent of the workforce is unable to have access to their rights leading to forced labor practices in both countries supported by archaic sponsorship laws.

Several Southeast Asian countries also scored 5, such as Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia and South Korea.

Middle Eastern countries Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, where many Filipinos are working, also received a score of 5.

However, there were countries that had even worse conditions, getting a score of 5+. These are: Libya, Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Central African Republic. The rating of 5+ means there is no guarantee of workers’ rights due to breakdown of the rule of law. Manila Standard

TUCP: Philippines really among worst countries for workers

LABOR group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) immediately affirmed the finding of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) that the country is currently among the worst countries for workers.

TUCP president Democrito Mendoza said the ITUC was right on in saying that workers in the country are exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices.

"TUCP confirms the findings of ITUC that Philippines is indeed one of the worst places to work in," said Mendoza in a statement.

The labor group noted how about 73 to 75 percent of the 39 million members of the labor force are not being regularized and are only contractual employees for an average of five months.

Also, Mendoza said some 85 percent of contractuals are not receiving lawful minimum wages and are also fired immediately from their jobs once they try to form a labor union.

"Without security of tenure, Filipino workers are also suffering from lack of social protection services provided by government," said Mendoza.

The TUCP also underscored that unemployment in the country is already at three million while underemployment is placed at seven million.

"In fact, we anticipate unemployment will rise to five million due to the fact that there are no new infrastructures to attract large and jobs-creating investments," Mendoza further said.

In its 2014 Global Rights Index, the ITUC ranked countries based on internationally recognized indicators to assess where workers' rights, such as democratic rights, decent wages, safer working conditions, and secure jobs, are best protected, in law and in practice.

The Philippines was placed in the "5" rated countries, which means that legislation protecting workers' rights are in place but that workers have effectively no access to such rights.

On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) chose to downplay the results of the finding saying it does not describe the working condition in the country accurately.

"It does not necessarily concern the workers' rights since we don't have problems with other workers' rights. We can say the industry advocacy for workers in the country is very good," said Baldoz.

"In terms of quality of work in the country, I can say we are doing okay. Same goes with what they are saying about labor rights," she added.

The labor chief admitted that there remains the problem on extrajudicial killings of workers in the country.

She said this is the reason why Dole is already closely coordinating with the Department of Justice.

"Justice Secretary Leila de Lima already committed to fast track the investigation and hearing of extra judicial killings involving workers by creating special teams to prosecute," said Baldoz. (HDT/Sunnex)

Philippines among worst countries for workers

THE PHILIPPINES has been tagged as one of the worst countries for workers, according to a report from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The country, based on ITUC’s 2014 Global Rights Index, earned a “5” rating, which meant “no guarantee of rights”.

“Countries with the rating of 5 are the worst countries in the world to work in. While the legislation may spell out certain rights, workers have effectively no access to these rights and are therefore exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices,” the ITUC said.

The organization’s other ratings include a 5+ for “no guarantee of rights due to the breakdown of the rule of law”, 4 for “systematic violation of rights”, 3 for “regular violation of rights”, 2 for “repeated violation of rights” and 1 for “irregular violation of rights.

“Based on reports from affiliates, workers in at least 53 countries have either been dismissed or suspended from their jobs for attempting to negotiate better working conditions,” the ITUC said.

“In the vast majority of these cases, the national legislation offered either no protection or did not provided dissuasive sanctions in order to hold abusive employers accountable,” it added.

Asked for comment, Alan A. Tanjusay, spokesman of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, said prevailing working conditions in the country “confirm the report”.

He cited, among other things, contractual workers receiving less than the mandated minimum wage, lack of security of tenure and health insurance, the transfer of social services to the private sector from the government, vulnerability to price fluctuations of commodities and high unemployment.

“In fact, we anticipate unemployment will rise to 5 million due to the fact that there are no new infrastructures to attract large and job-creating investments,” Mr. Tanjusay said.

The country’s unemployment rate stood at 7.5% as of January this year.

Edgardo G. Lacson, president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, said for his part: “Ugliness, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder”.

“The opinion of one group may not truly represent the sentiment of the entire universe of 41 million workers in the country,” Mr. Lacson said in a text message.

“Workers’ condition in various workplaces is situational, and the claim by the group in question must be supported by empirical data,” he added.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz declined to comment, saying she has yet to read a copy of the report.

The ITUC Global Rights Index covered violations in 139 countries from April 2013 to March 2014.

ITUC is a confederation of national trade union centers with 325 affiliated organizations in 161 countries and territories. It has a membership of over 176 million. - BusinessWorld

PHL one of the worst places to work in – ITUC labor rights index

The Philippines is among the worst countries in the world for employees to work in, the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said in a report.

On this matter, ITUC has lumped the Philippines with most Southeast Asian countries that failed the assessment on workers' rights.

But the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) noted such label unjustly generalized the Philippines, saying such evaluations must be based on "empirical data."

ITUC's Global Rights Index assessed 139 countries on compliance with collective labor rights, as defined by International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions.

Countries were ranked from 1 (best) to 5 (worst) based on 97 indicators related to workers' rights. The evaluation was done from April 2013 to March 2014.

According to the Global Rights Index, the Philippines garnered a rating of 5, along with Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia.

Countries with the rating of 5 have laws that cover rights workers but are not effectively accessible, which expose laborers to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices.

Unfair

The ITUC assessment is unfair, ECOP president Edgardo Lacson told GMA News Online in a phone interview, saying it "should be based on empirical data."

"[The country is] definitely not [the worst place to work in]. If that is true, then all Filipinos should be overseas Filipino workers," he said.

"The methodology is grounded in standards of fundamental rights at work, in particular the right to freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike," Sharan Burrow, ITUC general Secretary, said in the report.

Lacson said the condition of labor in the country is relative to the area covered. "As employers, we have the most rigid labor laws to protect workers," he claimed.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), which affirmed the assessment of the international trade organization, said Filipino workers face problems of tenure and security.

Health unemployment insurance?

"73 to 75 percent of the 39 million labor force is not regularized... who work as contractual... with 85 percent... not receiving lawful minimum wage," spokesperson Alan Tanjusay told GMA News Online in a text message.

"Without security of tenure, Filipino workers are also suffering from lack of social protection services provided by government," Tanjusay said.

Health and unemployment insurance are also not readily available to workers, he said.

The latest labor force survey, released by the National Statistics Office in January, showed the jobless rate in the Philippines went up to 7.5 percent – or 2.969 million jobless Filipinos – from 7.1 percent or 2.776 million a year earlier.

TUCP's Tanjusay said there is no assurance the unemployment rate will go down by the end of President Benigno Aquino III's term in 2016 and is expected to even rise.

"We anticipate unemployment will rise to 5 million due to the fact there are no new infrastructure to attract large investments that create jobs," he said, citing the high cost of power in the country.

Power rates in the Philippines remain one of the most expensive in Asia as government does not subsidize electricity, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said in September 2013.

A 2012 study by the International Energy Consultants (IEC) noted average electric rates in the Philippines, particularly the Manila Electric Company franchise, was the ninth highest among 44 selected distributors across the globe, and three times higher than Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand and Malaysia – which allocate subsidies to the power sector. – VS, GMA News

Spiked HIV cases alarming

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is urging the government to declare a national emergency over the human immunodeficiency virus following an increase in the incidence of the deadly disease in the country.

The Philippines now ranks seventh among the countries in the world with an increasing incidence of HIV cases. The top six are Armenia, Bangladesh, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

“We are calling on the Department of Health to declare a national epidemic on the spread of HIV that leads to AIDS,” Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, said in a statement.

“Let us come out from our complacency and face this battle head on by fully implementing stand-by strategies in order to stop this growing burden. Let’s us fight the spread of disease before it gets to our children.”

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz on Tuesday said she was supporting the TUCP’s call on the government to declare a national emergency over the HIV epidemic.

She also called on private employers to promote healthy lifestyles in the workplaces following an increase in the number of Filipinos contracting work-related diseases, including HIV-AIDS.

“The department seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle through the 40-hour on-line version of the Basic Safety and Health Training Course. The course is mandatory for all safety officers of the Labor Department,” Baldoz said.

“We want more workers to be aware of the ways they can promote a healthy lifestyle in their workplaces.”

The TUCP hopes the government will mount an aggressive intervention program by mobilizing its resources in coping with the growing problem.

TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said that, in the 2014 Global AIDS Response Progress Report to be submitted by the Philippine government to the United Nations, the country had failed this early to meet the 2015 target of reducing the spread of HIV.

The report was prepared by the Department of Health’s National Epidemiology Center, and it says that out of the 1,115 sex workers tested within the first four months of 2014 alone, 20 or 1.8 percent were found to have an HIV infection compared with only 26 or 0.275 percent out of the 9,797 tested for the whole of 2012.

The report also shows that out of the 4,804 men that had sex with men, 160 or 3.3 percent were found to have been infected within the first quarter of the year compared with only 90 or 1.68 percentout of the 5,353 who were tested for the whole of 2012.

Among the people injecting themselves with drugs, meanwhile, 401 or 46.1 percent out of the 869 who were tested were infected with HIV during the first quarter of the year. In contrast, only 13.56 percent or 174 had HIV out of the 1,283 tested for the whole year two years ago.

The other most-at-risk and vulnerable populations were the people living with people infected with HIV and the Filipinos working abroad. Manila Standard

DOH urged to declare ‘national emergency’ over HIV spread

MANILA, Philippines—The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) called on the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday to declare a national emergency over the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The group made the call amid an increase in cases among key vulnerable populations in the country.

“We are calling on the Department of Health to declare a national epidemic on the spread of HIV that leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

“Let us come out from our complacency and face this battle head on by fully implementing stand-by strategies in order to stop this growing burden,” said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).

The labor group said a comprehensive solution to stop the spread of HIV should follow the declaration of a national emergency on the disease.

“By such declaration, government can carry out an aggressive and surefire intervention by mobilizing its massive political and economic resources in coping with the growing problem on the spread of the virus,” TUCP said.

From 1984 until March 2014, there are already 17,948 HIV cases with 1,652 already considered as AIDS as recorded by the DOH – National Epidemiology Center (NEC).

In March 2014 alone, 498 new HIV cases were recorded, including 53 developing into full-blown AIDS cases.
If not adequately addressed, the labor group said the daily HIV case rate in the country could go from 16 to 32 infections.
“From our point of view, it is very obvious now that HIV threat poses a clear and present danger to our people especially on key affected populations and most vulnerable sectors. Government must now aggressively intervene before it creeps out of control,” said the TUCP.

Sought for comment, Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, the Department of Health, said it might be too early to make such a declaration.
“We are not disregarding all concerns regarding HIV but have to look into the issue first because there are many consequences if a national emergency is declared. Before we get into that, there might be some other things we need to look into,” Lee Suy said.

Citing the DOH’s HIV/AIDS program. the health official also assured the public that the government has not been remiss in its responsibilities in fighting the HIV spread.

The DOH said it has been seriously pushing for the conduct of a mandatory HIV testing among high-risk groups, including female sex workers (FSWs), males having sex with males (MSMs), injecting drug users (IDUs), and those who will undergo operational, like pregnant women.

Meanwhile, some HIV positive patients have been insisting that there has been a shortage of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs contrary to the assurance given earlier by the DOH that there is enough supply of the medicines.
ARV treatment is a combination of medications given to HIV-positive patients to delay the progression of the infection and the onset of full-blown AIDS.

Several HIV patients in the country are receiving free ARV drugs from the various treatment hubs all over the country.
The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, was the primary source of the free ARV supplies for infected individuals like those in the Philippines.

One of the patients, Boy Positibo, a 25-year-old resident of Quezon City, claimed that the lack of ARV supply, particularly Tenofovir, prompted him to switch to another ARV, Zidovudine, which used to make him anemic.

“It’s difficult to switch meds because of side effects. Each tablet has its own side effect, you just have to find what suits you,” he said. “Before Tenofovir I took Zidovudine but I had anemia, so I switched to Tenofovir. Now I had to switch back to Zidovudine because of the lack of supply of Tenofovir.”

He said he was told by his doctor that the switch was just temporary while waiting for the supply of Tenofovir.

Boy Positibo, who was diagnosed as HIV positive in September 2011, said he knew of several other members of the HIV community in the same situation.

He added that the usual three-month AREV supply of a person living with HIV (PLHIV), was cut down to a month or even a 15-day supply. He said he started experiencing the shortage about three months ago.

“As far as the HIV community is concerned, there is a shortage kasi hindi sya nakakarating sa amin (the medicines do not reach us),” Boy Positibo said, adding that they couldn’t get the ARV drugs — being commercially unavailable — anywhere else.
“I understand that the DOH is doing their best, but please also understand that our life depends on those tablets. We just want to alarm the government so that next time, it won’t happen again. I hope the DOH will take cognizance of the hassle of going back and forth at treatment hubs just to get medication,” Boy Positibo said.

In a previous interview, Lee Suy assured that the problem has been addressed.

“Actually it didn’t reach the point of having a shortage. Based on our guidelines, we should be maintaining a certain level or amount of the medicine. It almost got to that point, but it has already been addressed,” he said, explaining that problem stemmed from the delayed delivery of the supply.

“[The problem] was more on logistics, but it’s not a major concern. We have enough medicines,” Lee Suy added.
But in an interview on Tuesday, Lee Suy pledged to check on the reported shortage of ARV drugs.

“I will check on that because as far as I know we have already provided the medicines and there is no problem as far as the supply is concerned. I would have to validate the report,” Lee Suy said. - Inquirer

DOH rejects call to declare HIV emergency

THE Department of Health (DOH) dismissed on Tuesday the call of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) for a national emergency to be declared over the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country.

In an interview, DOH spokesman Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said TUCP’s call could be premature.

“We acknowledge naman yung problema ng HIV/Aids na talagang mataas but then before we get into a national emergency, there might be some other things we can do,” said Lee Suy.

“We're not totally saying na it would fit into the national emergency, but we have to look into the issue first because maraming consequences,” he said.

According to the DOH official, the government has not been remiss of its responsibilities in combating the HIV spread.

The DOH has been strongly pushing for its ABC program versus HIV/Aids, which stands for Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use. It is also considering the idea of conducting mandatory HIV testing among high-risk groups.

Among the high-risk groups identified by the DOH are female sex workers (FSWs), males having sex with males (MSMs), injecting drug users (IDUs), and overseas foreign workers (OFWs).

In the 2014 Global Aids Response Progress Report to be submitted by Philippine Government to the United Nations, the TUCP said the country has failed this early to meet the 2015 target of reducing HIV spread.

Based on the report prepared by DOH’s National Epidemiology Center (NEC) about HIV monitoring and survey they conducted on key affected populations, it was learned that out of the 1,115 sex workers tested within the first four months of 2014 alone, 20 or 1.8 percent of them were found to have HIV infection, compared to only 26 or .275 percent out of 9,797 tested for the whole year in 2012.

The report also shows that out of 4,804 men having sex with men, 160 or 3.3 percent of them are found to have been infected within the first quarter of the year, compared to only 90 or 1.68 percent with HIV out of 5,353 for the whole year in 2012.

Among the people who inject drugs, meanwhile, 401 or 46.1 percent out of 869 were infected with HIV during the first quarter of the year while only 13.56 percent or 174 of them have HIV out of 1,283 tested two years ago.

From 1984 to March 2014, there were 17,948 HIV/Aids cases as recorded by the NEC.

The Philippines is one of the seven countries in the world with increasing incidence of HIV cases. The other countries are Armenia, Bangladesh, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. (HDT/Sunnex)

Government to probe alleged leak of Qatar state secrets to PH

by Aurea Calica, The Philippine Star

MANILA - The government will look into allegations that state secrets of Qatar were passed to the Philippine government through three Filipinos, one of whom was sentenced to death.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB yesterday that the Department of National Defense (DND) would be the one to respond to the report.

The DND yesterday gave assurance that it would look into the case.

“Definitely we will look into this. But we could not issue any statement until we are fully aware of the case,” said DND spokesman Peter Paul Galvez.

The Armed Forces of the Philippine also declined to comment on the allegation, saying it is the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that has jurisdiction over cases involving overseas Filipino workers.

Valte said the government would help the OFW who was sentenced to death for espionage and economic sabotage in Qatar as well as the two others who were meted life sentences.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose did not identify the accused Filipinos but said the one sentenced to death was an employee of a state-owned company, while two others were technicians in a military base.

The three OFWs were accused of providing military and economic information to intelligence officials in the Philippines. These include data on Qatar’s aircraft, weaponry, maintenance and servicing records, and details about the names, ranks and phone numbers of staff members.

Reports said details about a major Qatari company’s investment projects and upcoming contracts were also leaked.

Jose said the sentences were handed down on April 20. “A lawyer assisted them throughout the lower court proceedings and the verdict was appealed before Qatar’s court of appeals last May 4,” he said.

“Normally, the DFA, through our embassy in that particular place, will make representation for or will...render legal assistance to lower the death sentence (so he will) not be executed,” Valte said.

The labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday urged the government to extend all help to the OFW who was sentenced to death.

Special team sought

In a text message, TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the government should not waste time in getting the worker from the death chamber.

“We urge the Philippine government to set up a special team to exhaust all legal and diplomatic intervention toward saving our countrymen from high sentence,” he added.

Jose said “our embassy will continue to extend assistance to them as long as necessary.”

The STAR tried to get the side of the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

But key officials of these agencies were attending the 7th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in Kuwait. – With Sheila Crisostomo, Jaime Laude

USC-TC workers protest dismissal

STRIKE! Employees of the USC Talamban Campus who alleged they were unjustly terminated hold a picket in front of the school gates while students who were not allowed to enter the school wait to hear news about their classes. REYNAN VILLENA

CEBU, Philippines - At least 16 terminated employees of the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus yesterday held a rally to protest the decision of the school management to close their office.

Over 150 workers of the General Services Office of USC-TC have been terminated effective May 15 reportedly as part of the long-range cost-cutting measure that the school is implementing, said USC legal counsel Fr. Ernesto Lagura.

Lagura said the move is in line with the expected drop in the number of enrollees in 2016 and 2017 stemmed from the implementation of the K to 12 System.

“Inig 2016, wala nama’y first year college unya inig 2017, wala’y second year. So, dako kaayo og decrease sa enrollment ug dako na pod og increase sa income,” he said.

But ALU-TUCP representative Joverito Contratista, who initiated the protest, said the termination is not justifiable since some employees even serve the school for 25 years already.

GSO president Arnold Arcipe said he had rendered 22 years of service and that the termination would greatly affect their families.

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“Lisod gyod kaayo kay wala na dayon mi trabaho ani, upat pa kabook anak nako. Mohangyo nalang unta mi nga madunggog ang among tingog,” he told The FREEMAN.

However, Lagura said that the closure of the office is supported by the law and that the school would resort to outsourcing.

“Unya pag-cut namo sa among expenses, among gi-tan-aw unsa tong mga very extensive nga section. And that section, wala maghimo sa principal nga trabaho sa school or the core process of the industry,” he said.

Lagura said the employees were properly compensated and that the school offered more than the law requires.

He said that the GSO personnel were informed about their termination one month ahead.

“Despite this decision, we have granted all affected GSO personnel a reasonable offer that is much more than what is required by our labor laws. In fact, 61 of the 77 personnel have accepted the separation benefits. Only 15 union members and another one remain to have refused our offer,” said a press statement released by the USC administration.

The administration also expressed sadness that the protest was supported by ‘misinformation and intrigues.’

“USC is not an enterprise as the union tries to paint. Its mission is to educate with Christian values. It is not easy to increase tuition fees, If allowed, the bulk of any increase is mandated for the salaries and benefits of employees, both teaching and non-teaching, and to upgrade our educational facilities,” the statement said.

Lagura, however, assured that USC would not increase its tuition fee.

He said the institution respects the union members to protest because they have the right to do so.

But he said the school has not yet formulated talks with the protesting employees.

“Wala’y bag-ong kasabotan sugod nga nag-strike sila this morning wala pa gyod nag-istorya ang management ug labor. Pag-abot nako diri, naa na’y notice ang NCMB (National Conciliation and Mediation Board) nga ugma, duna mi conference with the labor and administrators,” he said.

He, however, said that the terminated employees have the discretion to reapply in the institution through an agency.

“The basic reason is to save and cut our basic expenses,” Laguro said, pointing out that the protest caused the suspension of classes in the morning.

“Maka-affect kay they are not supposed to block the entrance. People were not able to get in. It is the headache of the administrators,” he said.

The protest drew mixed reactions from the students.

Bryan, a third year college student, said he supports the protest because he pities the terminated employees.

Other students complained that the rally delayed their enrollment since the operation of the school was suspended in the morning. — (FREEMAN)

Relocation of squatters living in Metro ‘danger zones’ backed

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expressed alarm over the plight of squatter families still living in so-called danger zones in Metro Manila with the onset of the rainy season.

Alan Tanjusay, TUCP spokesman, said concerned government agencies should immediately work together to relocate them to safer grounds before the onset of the rainy season.

Tanjusay noted the announcement of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) last week about the “deep convection” or low-pressure area that will develop on May 21, which signals the start of the southwest monsoon.

He said the onset of rainy season, associated with the southwest monsoon, is expected between the last week of May to early June.

He said there are 7,000 priority families who need to be relocated, but the program is hounded by government bureaucratic layers in releasing public funds, approval of people’s plan, availability of transfer sites and local- government politics.

“There is an adequate window period between now and the rainy season for government agencies to harmonize their approach in relocating informal family settlers earlier identified as living in dangerous areas in the metropolis. We encourage the various government [agencies] involved to put their acts together and evade committing again the same blunder of failing to make preemptive action way before big floods hit Metro Manila and claim more innocent lives,” Gerard Seno, executive vice president of Associated Labor Unions-TUCP (ALU-TUCP), said for his part.

ALU is the biggest affiliate of TUCP and the largest labor federation in the country today. It represents the labor center TUCP in various tripartite focused and technical working group discussions on various critical and strategic national policy issues.

President Aquino earmarked in July 2013 P50 billion for the adequate, decent and affordable on-site, in-city and near-city relocation of squatter families.

He ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to spearhead the effort in coordination with local governments, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, National Anti-Poverty Commission, National Housing Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Social Housing Finance Corp., Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and other government agencies.

These government agencies are tasked to consult with the various non-governmental organizations and civil-society groups, and convene as the national technical working group (NTWG) in implementing the program. Last week the NTWG approved the relocation of particular 8,000 squatter families in waterways, riverbanks and esteros by July 2014, who may be affected by flooding during the rainy season.

In July 2011 the MMDA identified 104,219 families who are living in dangerous and high-risk areas located in 17 cities and towns. These families are living in waterways, riverbanks, creeks, shorelines, transmission lines, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, landfill and sidewalks in Metro Manila.

Quezon City has the most number of families, with 31,274, followed by Manila, with 26,129; and Navotas and Taguig Cities, with 6,652 and 5,439 families, respectively. Other areas with informal-settler families include Caloocan, with 2,129; Malabon, 1,849; Mandaluyong, 1,081; Valenzuela, 4,261; Marikina, 386; Pasig, 4,173; Las Piñas, 2,161; Makati City, 671; Muntinlupa, 3,428; Parañaque, 3,320; Pasay, 4,200; Pateros, 1,977; and San Juan, with 5,238 families, the group said. - BusinessMirror

Catholic bishop backs mandatory HIV testing

A CATHOLIC prelate has supported the Department of Health's (DOH) proposal to Congress to pass a law on mandatory HIV testing amid the rising number of infections in the Philippines.

"Yes, I am in favor, on the condition that proper care in handling of patients and cases proper to the human dignity will be exercised by the government," said Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo in a text message.

However, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) said that the compulsory HIV tests are violative of a person's rights and heightens stigma and discrimination.

"Instead of a reactive measure like this, paramount is a more comprehensive and effective HIV awareness program," the group said in a statement.

At the same time, the group called on the churches and other organizations to intensify the campaign on HIV and Aids awareness.

"None is more essential than a united effort to promote an informed public, breaking myths and upholding the truth about HIV and Aids," the NCCP said.

The NCCP noted that it encourages young people to go for HIV tests for them to protect themselves and their future.

The Philippine Aids Prevention and Control Act of 1998 disallows compulsory HIV testing.

The law only encourages voluntary testing for individuals with a high risk of contracting HIV such female sex workers (FSWs), males having sex with males (MSMs) and injecting drug users (IDUs).

Also, compulsory HIV testing as a precondition to employment, admission to educational institutions, the exercise of freedom of abode, entry or continued stay in the country, or the right to travel, the provision of medical service or any other kind of service is deemed illegal.

"The mandatory testing approach is taboo to stakeholders and PNAC (Philippine National Aids Council) is not even consulted with the idea,” said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP).

TUCP is a member of the PNAC, which oversees an integrated and comprehensive approach to HIV/Aids prevention and control program in the country. -Sunstar (FP/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)

TUCP to BSP : Probe credit card firms' schemes

MANILA, Philippines - Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines on Thursday called on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to go after unscrupulous credit card companies that impose involuntary membership, charging exorbitant interest rates, hidden surcharges and for violation of privacy.

"We urge the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to step in, use its teeth in enforcing the law and government regulations against abusive credit card companies who are now operating as if there is no rule of law. We want the BSP to weigh in and protect the public from oppressive credit card players," Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions-TUCP, said.

Seno said they received reports that credit card companies automatically send pre-approved credit card membership to many people with the names of the recipients on the card without even applying for it.

"We don’t know at what extent these people have been accessing our personal data but it’s very obvious there is an invisible but organized web of syndicated operators manipulating, sharing among themselves our privacy. We want the executive government to intervene and put a stop to this," Seno added.

He said the TUCP supports House Bill 2551, which seeks to protect credit card holders by setting a ceiling on interest rates and surcharges and prohibiting hidden penalties or costs imposed by credit card companies, banks and similar institutions on purchases and cash advance made through such facility.

The bill aims to lower credit card interest rates on purchases and cash advance to 1 percent and set the surcharges or penalties limited to not more than 1 percent amid the 3 to 3.5 percent currently imposed by credit card companies on both charges. - Philippine Star

Kilusan - TUCP joins the observance of Labor Day 2014

Manila-  Pambansang Kilusan ng Paggawa (Kilusan - TUCP), Kilusan sa JFC and BOIE Employess Union  participated in the broadest labor coalition, NAGKAISA! in the observance of International Labor Day.