Congress to probe DITFI closure

A resolution has formally been filed at the House of Representatives to look into the October 8 "closure" of Davao Integrated Transport Facilities, Inc. (DITFI) that displaced 200-odd workers of the DOLE Stanfilco-owned trucking company.

House Resolution No. 300, filed on November 6, called "on the House Committee on Labor and Emplyoment in conduct an investigation in, aid of legislation, into the illegal lock-out and illegal dismissal of 200 workers of Davao Integrated Transport Facilities,
Inc. (DITFI), a subsidiary of DOLE-Stanfilco in Davao del Norte."

The resolution was introduced by Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran, Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño, and Gabriela Women's Party Representatives Liza Maza and Luz Ilagan.

Noel Morales, president of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa DITFI (NAMADITFI), the union of rank-and-file workers, said that the resolution "marks a step towards attaining justice against the most inhuman capitalist ploy of depriving us of our only means of living."

"We welcome the initiative of our progressive partylists in calling for an investigation of our case. We believe that there is a need to make public the schemes of DOLE stanfilco in attacking our rights to job security," he said. Morales also appealed to the House Labor Committee chaired by Cong. Magtanggol Gunigundo to fast track the investigation because their case "mirrors what majority, if not all, of the workers face in the workplace."

Almost two months since the closure, the workers of NAMADITFI are still picketing the entrance of the company's container yard. Meanwhile, DOLE Stanfilco has continued to turn a deaf ear on the just demand of the workers to have their jobs back.

Romualdo Basilio, chairperson of KMU-SMR, said that the resolution, apart from declaring DITFI's closure as illegal, shall put into legislative discussion some of the major problems of workers. "We are hoping that the resolution will push through, as this will put into light capitalist anti-labor practices and the military's vilification camapaign against genuine unions."

Added Basilio, "We have also recommended the House's investigation on the collusion of capitalists and some courts. It is
distressing that court should allow itself to be used by capitalist greed on the expense of workers' rights." While on the picketline, the workers' and their families' barricade has been served with two temporary restraining orders (TRO) from civil courts that, according to Morales, have no jurisdiction to the case since it is a labor dispute.

HR 300 also included investigating "the widespread labor-only contracting practices of employers, intevention of military in labor disputes and to recommend measures to aid workers."