DoLE acting too afraid and guilty over trade union repression and killings of labor leaders

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that they are ready to engage in a showdown of evidence against the Department of Labor and Employment and Malacanang after Labor Secretary Arturo Brion asked the International Labor Organization (ILO) to dismiss the complaints filed by KMU against the Arroyo government's responsibility in the cases of trade union and human rights violations.


"The burden of proof to clear their name is now with the Arroyo administration. All evidences point to the government and the military as the perpetrators behind the political killings in the Philippines.
The government cannot hide the monstrosity of its trade union and human rights violations, "KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog said.

"Instead of answering point blank the complaint that we filed before the ILO, Brion, resorted to irresponsible character assassination and malicious allegation that we are only 'forum shopping.' The government is not really sincere in resolving the cases. How can Brion easily dismiss the complaint if it involves 76 lives and thousands more workers victimized. With Brion's stance over the alarming trade union rights violations and unresolved cases of killed and massacred labor leaders, he's the one that should be dismissed from his post. He's supposed to advocate workers' rights and welfare but instead he is protecting and defending the criminals.



Brion resign



“Hinihiling namin kay Kalihim Brion na kung may natitira pa siyang delikadeza sa kanyang katawan, pinakamabuting magbitiw na lang siya bilang Labor Secretary. Mas bagay sa kanyang magtrabaho sa Malakanyang kaysa sa DoLE." Labog said.

"If the government is really innocent and has no accountabilities in trade union repression and killings of labor leaders and advocates, then why is Brion acting so guilty and defensive?" asked Labog.

The group said they have no plans of dropping the complaint filed to the ILO. "We will further cooperate with the ILO should they seek for more evidences, witnesses and supporting documents to our complaints. As an international body directed to interests of workers, we are reiterating our request to the ILO to send a special fact-finding mission to the Philippines to further study and investigate the current condition of trade union rights in the country," the labor leader said.

"We filed the complaint to seek justice for the victims of trade union rights violations.

We are seeking justice for more than 76 labor leaders and labor advocates killed under Arroyo's leadership. Now, Brion is asking the ILO to investigate KMU and discern our union activities. He even went as far as linking us to the CPP-NPA-NDF. We will not give up this fight. Likewise, we will encourage other trade union centers abroad to support our case against the Arroyo government and further expose international cases of trade union rights violations," Labog ended.