Sexual harassment victims urged to surface, push rights

ORGANIZED labor has called on victims of sexual harassment in workplaces to come out in the open and fight for their rights.

The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP), the country’s biggest labor group, on Sunday issued the call as it expressed its support to television journalist Gretchen Fullido, who broke her silence about the alleged sexual harassment that she had experienced.

The group said it admires Fullido’s courage in bringing her complaint to court but added that the alleged offenders have also the right to be heard.

PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH An advocate for mental health holds a banner during the solidarity walk held by health advocates in Manila on Sunday to promote mental health. PHOTO BY GERARD SEGUIA

Fullido filed sexual harassment complaint against ABS-CBN News segment producer Maricar Asprec and former ABS-CBN News executive Cheryl Favila who allegedly sent Fullido text messages to asking for sexual favors.

They denied Fullido’s allegations.

“The ALU-TUCP is also monitoring the development of this case for what it can do for other workers experiencing sexual harassment particularly those hesitant to stand up out of real fear and pressure,” ALU spokesman Alan Tanjusay said.

ALU national vice president Eva Arcos expressed belief that there were many victims of sexual harassment in work places who chose to remain silent for fear of reprisal and losing their jobs.

“When something like this happens, we need to provide safety, search for truth, work for justice, facilitate healing and empowerment. We all have obligations to stop all forms of abnormalization and aggravation of violence in workplaces, learning environment and communities,” she said.

Tanjusay said the ALU-TUCP hopes for an expeditious resolution of the case to determine if Fullido was indeed sexually harassed and if the spirit, principles and specific provisions of the Constitution and laws particularly on human, labor and women’s dignity and rights were respected.

Tanjusay also asked the Department of Labor and Employment to come up with a sample workplace policy template and issue an order on workplace romance policy guidelines.

“Many do not know that workplace romance policy, by tweaking its provisions, can boost productivity and creativity of employees. Such policy adoption also discourages favoritism and sexual harassment, stave off abuse and minimize miscommunication within the enterprise,” he said. - By WILLIAM DEPASUPIL, TMT