On Labor Day, global union watchdog International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said that the courage of Filipino workers to stand up against the Duterte administration is “inspiring people around the world.”

At the virtual rally of the broad coalition of national labor groups, ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow said that the global watchdog stands with the fight for decent work in the Philippines.

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“Your courage in standing against this government, the courage to stand in the face of extrajudicial killings and red-tagging, is inspiring people around the world. You have incredible solidarity,” said Burrow in a recorded statement on Saturday, May 1.

ITUC Asia Pacific general secretary Shoya Yoshida reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of Filipino workers in the face of attacks by the Duterte government.

“While the pandemic claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos, the crackdown of the Duterte administration on activists killed workers, trade unionists, and labor rights defenders,” Yoshida said.

“We must stand firm and reinforce our key source of power – solidarity,” he added.

The Philippines has consistently ranked in ITUC’s top 10 list of worst countries for workers.

According to rights group Karapatan, 230 human rights defenders have been killed under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Among labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno’s members, five have been killed.

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Police attempt to stop protests

Nationwide, the Philippine National Police (PNP) worked double-time to stop workers and activists from holding Labor Day activities.

In Manila, as early as 6 am, KMU chairperson Elmer Labog said that the police barricaded almost all of the entrances at Sto Niño de Tondo Church where labor groups were supposed to attend a mass officiated by Bishop Broderick Pabillo. PNP was allegedly responding to a bomb threat, he said.

State forces also blocked protesters from going to Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola, the supposed protest venues on Saturday morning, forcing the latter to set up at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City instead.

In the eyes of outgoing PNP chief General Debold Sinas, demonstrators merely “heeded calls to voluntarily disperse and terminate activities.” The labor groups did not terminate activities.

In Cebu, 34 workers headed for a protest were arrested for allegedly violating health protocols. KMU also noted other reports in the regions that the police tried to block workers from attending rallies.

Gov’t ‘social distances’ from labor

On Labor Day, the country’s biggest labor groups united to condemn the Philippine government’s “failed” pandemic response.

They called for more job opportunities, sufficient cash aid, and a clear and swifter vaccination program.

The groups also stood against the government’s red-tagging and harassment of workers and unions, and Duterte’s kowtowing to China.

Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) president Luke Espiritu noted the administration’s skewed priorities that favor businesses.

“Imbis na kabuhayan, malawakang tanggalan, kabawasan sa sweldo, pagbubuwag sa mga unyon, at moratorium sa CBA (collective bargaining agreement).… Ang kaligtasan ay mangyayari lamang kung ang sentro ng solusyon ay tao at hindi tubo,” said Espiritu.

(Instead of prioritizing livelihood, the [Duterte government] allowed mass layoffs, lower wages, union-busting, and placed a moratorium on CBAs. People’s safety will only happen if the solutions are human-centric instead of capital-centric.)

In 2020, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allowed employers to negotiate wage cuts. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III even floated the idea of suspending workers’ 13th month pay.

Despite clear opposition to the PNP’s proposal of requiring police clearances in dealings with the department, DOLE has yet to officially reject it.

“It’s very clear that the Department of Labor and Employment was ‘social distancing’ from workers,” Sentro secretary general Josua Mata earlier told Rappler. – Rappler.com