Labor group to support CBCP call; Illegal con-ass 'sickening'

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) expressed its support to the call of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urging the faithful to be vigilant over the "hasty" convening of the constituent assembly (con-ass) on Tuesday.

As Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila yesterday drummed up the business sector's call to prioritize incorporation of liberalized economic provisions in the charter amendments, the KMU is weary the con-ass will be the "illegal" and "immoral" springboard in doing away with the workers' rights embodied in the Labor Code.

"For the workers, this will mean more exploitation under cheap and flexible labor as well as unhampered attacks to the workers' basic rights. Liberalization has already massacred thousands of domestic jobs. Things will become worse with Cha-Cha as it shall legally institutionalize unbridled foreign domination of the local economy. For the working sector, Cha-Cha means massive job loss, unemployment and unimaginable poverty." said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

Labog also recalled that that the constitutional commission initiated by Malacañang last year has recommended revisions that would allow provisions such as the 100% foreign ownership of enterprises and media outlets, “These provisions will effectively wipe out nationalist protections exist in the 1987 Constitution. The con-ass and its blatant and inevitable sell-out of our national patrimony and sovereignty are sickening.”

The KMU will join the nationwide protest actions of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on December 12 as the illegal con-ass convenes.