FDA urged: Test Johnson’s baby powder for asbestos

Business World photo

ORGANIZED labor has expressed alarm over reports that the United States Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) found cancer-causing chrysotile asbestos fibers in one batch of a baby powder that is widely popular among consumers in the Philippines.

Workers group Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-
TUCP) said on Friday the report should also be investigated by the Philippines’ FDA, considering the popularity of the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) baby powder among Filipino consumers.

On October 18, the US-FDA disclosed it found the presence of asbestos in one batch of the product and advised consumers to stop using J&J baby powder Lot # 22318RB.
The findings prompted J&J to voluntarily recall 33,000 bottles.

“We are calling upon the FDA authority to proactively take steps to mitigate the undue anxiety felt by consumers caused by this serious discovery of asbestos contamination in a baby product commonly used by so many Filipinos across our growing population. We are urging them to conduct product evaluation test to assure the quality and safety of the product… to the health of consumers,” said Gerard Seno, national executive vice president of ALU-TUCP.

“The FDA must guarantee to all of us the safety, purity and efficacy of this product in order to protect the health and welfare of the general public. It is better for FDA to err on the side of caution than to realize too late that many people’s health and safety have already been compromised simply because they didn’t check the product,” he added. - By William Depasupil, TMT

2-year probationary period to force Filipinos to work abroad

TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said the proposed measure, if approved, will also “expand the gap between the rich and the poor and strengthen the short-term labor slavery practice in the country.” File

MANILA, Philippines — The proposed two-year probationary period for newly hired employees has “wide-ranging implications,” including forcing Filipinos to seek employment abroad, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) warned yesterday.

TUCP president Raymond Mendoza said the proposed measure, if approved, will also “expand the gap between the rich and the poor and strengthen the short-term labor slavery practice in the country.”

Mendoza noted that House Bill 4802 authored by Probinsiyano party-list Rep. Jose Singson Jr. “is very dangerous and highly disadvantageous to workers because of its deleterious effect on working people and their families once it is enforced.”

“We are at a time when we are struggling to close the gap between the rich and the poor by eliminating this short-term endo (end-of-contract) and to minimize all forms of contractualization employment scheme in the country and ensure a just and fair economic share for workers in a growing economy,” he added.

Mendoza also said the bill would “practically empower abusive employment and business practice with a larger latitude and longer contractualization short-term work scheme.”

Under HB 4802, the extension of the probationary period is being proposed to be prolonged from the current six months to two years.

Singson claimed that six months are not enough for employers to determine if a worker deserves to be regularized.

During this period, probationary workers do not enjoy security and other benefits afforded to regular workers, like vacation and sick leave, separation pay, 13th month pay, Christmas bonus, allowances and paternity and maternity leave.

“Extending the probationary employment period to two years is a race to the bottom scheme because it will improve the currently widely practiced endo labor slavery system and will make contractualized work permanent in the country,” Mendoza said.

Under the current working conditions in the country, some 6,000 to 7,000 Filipinos are leaving every day to work abroad, according to the trade union leader.

He added that if the bill becomes law, the number of Filipinos working abroad will increase, thus resulting in “greater brain drain” and more children suffering from having a parent or both parents away.

‘Mindless, heartless’

Meanwhile, Sen. Leila de Lima described as “mindless and heartless” Singson’s bill which, she said, is definitely not a solution to Filipino workers’ woes.

De Lima said the proposed measure would only prolong the difficulty of the already difficult life of an ordinary working Filipino.

“The proposal for a two-year probationary period for workers is not a solution at all to the long-time woes of Filipino workers. It will even prolong the agony of the workers. It is a fog in which to hide the real issue,” she said.

The senator added this ominous fog of a proposal will not only enshroud the actual issue – the abusive “endo” practice – but will also “expose our workers to labor malpractice. – Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) With Cecille Suerte Felipe

House bill seeks to set up banana research center

A Department of Science and Technology staff shows tissue cultured from varieties of wilt-resistant cavendish bananas. -- BW FILE PHOTO

A PARTY-LIST legislator has filed a bill seeking to establish a banana research institute to develop better planting methods and find new uses for the plant, one of the Philippines’ leading fruit exports.

Rep. Raymond C. Mendoza of TUCP Party list filed House Bill No. 2622, noting that the banana industry pays about P1.78 billion in local taxes a year and provides income opportunities for some 30,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

“The industry has become a potent instrument of development and empowerment for almost two million residents of Mindanao who depend on it… It is ironic that the strategic value of the industry was built with little or no assistance from government,” Mr. Mendoza said in his explanatory note.

The measure hopes to establish the National Research, Development and Extension Center for Banana at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.

The research center will develop improved cultivars through traditional and biotechnological methods; develop efficient, economic, and productive banana production technologies; develop effective and efficient production systems for all banana varieties; discover productive banana-based farming systems; establish international linkages for banana research; and provide training for workers and farmers.

The bill provides for tax and duty exemptions for the research center, including on imported machinery. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Labor groups hail contributions of ex-Senate President Pimentel

Former Senate president Aquilino “ Nene” Pimentel Jr (Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Labor groups expressed their condolences to the family of former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., who passed away Sunday morning.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said Pimentel was a “conscience of our nation and a tireless defender of democracy at a time when too many Filipinos chose the path of silence, acceptance, and obedience to the dark heart of a dictatorship.”

“His lifelong struggle for political democracy and economic democracy inspires the TUCP and the entire working class to never give up and to never surrender,” the group said.

The TUCP also cited Pimentel’s contribution as the latter authored the Local Government Code “to ensure genuine autonomy and self-direction for local governments.”

Pimentel also authored the Cooperative Code of the Philippines and the Charter of the Charter of the Cooperative Development Authority.

“This was meant to empower ordinary workers, farmers and fisherfolks by pooling their finance together to help each other free their class from economic exploitation by cartels, oligarchs, and the vested interests,” the group said.

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said that the late senator’s good deeds will remain to be emulated.

“FFW extends its prayers and condolences to the bereaved family of a good man,” it said.

“We note with sadness the death of a good man and workers’ companion in the struggle for social justice,” it added. - By Analou De Vera