On 26th year anniv of massive arrest, torture of a hundred KMU leaders; Workers denounce DOLE-regime’s all front repression

After 26 years, workers commemorate this one dreadful part of labor history by intensifying calls against all forms of workers rights’ repression.

“Workers confront an all front attack on their various rights under the Arroyo regime. From political killings and intimidation, to massive retrenchment and dismissal, to violations of right to organize and to collective bargaining, to frozen wages and unemployment,” said KMU Secretary General Wilson Baldonaza.

KMU cited that since Arroyo’s term in 2001, 87 workers have been fallen victims of extra-judicial killings, and 16,400 have been victims of many forms of rights violations, according to documented cases alone.

“Arroyo and the big capitalists further victimize the whole population by securing their private interests at the expense of the people’s suffering. They have created an economy of spiralling prices, economic crisis, and imposed tolerance for those who wish to question them,” Baldonaza added.

KMU protested at the grounds of the DOLE head office to demand urgent action on various labor dispute cases submitted to this office, old and new.

In a letter signed by leaders of KMU and various labor Federations (see letter), the workers reported several cases of labor rights violations that DOLE have continued to snubbed.

This includes the sexual harassment of 200 women workers of Advan shoes in Muntinlupa by employer Jimmy Ong, illegal attempt for closure of Far Eastern garments in Muntinlupa due false ‘profit loss’ reports of billionare owner, and the unexecuted Supreme Court decisions favoring the years-long woe of workers in Nissan, Toyota, and Nestle. The workers requested for a dialogue with DOLE secretary Marianito Roque.

“Cases of illegal dismissals, CBA deadlocks, union busting, threats and assaults, sexual harassments, and other abuses to workers heap up in DOLE’s various offices. But instead of serving justice, DOLE favors the oppressors more by neglecting, abruptly dismissing, or unjustly deciding on such cases,” said Baldonaza.

The protesters marched to Mendiola after picketing the DOLE office and aired their clamors at the foot of Arroyo’s haven.

“We vow that the all front attack to the workers by the connivance of DOLE, Malacanang and the big capitalists will be met by the full force of rage of the workers.” ###