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“It is like we are under martial law in the economic zone and in the workplace.” – Reden Alcantara, NXP workers union president.
“We want to bring back to millions of workers the dignity of regular employment with its attendant living wage, union rights and benefits like maternity leave and health insurance.” – Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emmi de Jesus
"No matter how much you trim the statistics of the unemployed, if you don't grab the problem by its roots, it will still sprout." -- A college grad last year who hopes to find a job
NXP Semi-conductors, Inc. accused the workers of holding an ‘illegal strike’ because they refused to work on April 9, 17, 18 and May 1, all government-declared holidays.
"While many thought forming unions is detrimental to workers, genuine unions fight for workers’ rights and against abuses in the workplace." - union leader
“The massive unemployment among the youth is testament to the Aquino regime’s failure to bring change to the lives of Filipinos. Millions of our countrymen are hungrier than ever, with most people remaining jobless, and those with jobs are living with barely sufficient wages.” –Kabataan Party Rep. Terry Ridon
Bulatlat.com asked netizens to tweet/tag us their Labor Day wish and here are their answers.
For the first time in the Philippines, workers from various companies and labor advocates agreed to use a common hashtag to amplify workers’ voices in digital platforms.
“The management is harassing and threatening workers, telling them they held a concerted action -- an illegal strike -- when the workers only elected to respect the Philippine holiday. They're just forcing us to work.”
'Meralco TV ads are self-serving...'
During a nationally coordinated drivers’ and workers’ protest led by Piston yesterday, March 24, George San Mateo, national president of Piston, said they disagree with the fare hike plan aired by Acto, 1-Utak, Altodap and Fejodap, “because public opinion will be turned against us drivers.”
'It is really Aquino who is the driver of the Cha-cha train.'
“With all the ill effects of Herrera Law to workers’ right to security of tenure, right to strike and decent wages, it is but timely for the government to repeal the law and replace it with a genuinely pro-labor Labor Code.” – EILER
“Unlike Robin Hood who stole from rich people to give to the poor, the Aquino administration is stealing from the poor for the rich and corrupt government officials.” – Ferdinand Gaite, Courage.
'The government may continue to claim partial ownership of Fabella, but the profit motive in the hospital’s operations is already being introduced and patients’ fees are sure to increase.'
"Aquino is lying when he said the hike will result in greater benefits for members.”
For progressive unions, Aquino's 'stellar economic growth' and 'industrial peace' are rosy reports that cheer only the corporate few who benefit from it. For the working majority, the claims sounded more like a taunt because it rested on what they call as 'false claims' or deception, coupled with repression.
The violent repression of Korean railway workers’ strike shows that neoliberal policies like privatization go hand-in-hand with fascist repression. -- KMU
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