Brion must act on OWWA fund and abuses of OFWs

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said they are keeping tabs on Arturo Brion’s record even before he assumed the post as new chief of Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE).

“So far, we have heard of Brion’s position on pertinent issues affecting workers and the entire labor sector. He supports wage adjustment through the regional wage boards and opposes any legislated wage increase for workers. He is also keen on promoting labor dispute avoidance and other programs initiated by former DoLE Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

“Based on Brion’s current and previous actions concerning labor issues, we are now very critical of his position as new DoLE Chief. He is likely to take an iron-fist handling on ongoing and upcoming labor disputes. Like his predecessor, Brion is likely to uphold the business sector’s stance on the wage hike demands,” Labog said.

The labor leader said that Brion, during his time as Labor Undersecretary, issued an Assumption of Jurisdiction order against the strike of Sulpicio Lines in 2004 which authorized the police and SWAT elements to disperse the picket lines in a commando style.

“If Brion is really sincere in his objective to help OFWs, then the first thing he must do is to resolve the OWWA Fund scam and prosecute all those who are involved and responsible for the alleged fraud and embezzlement of around P530 million OWWA fund from OFWs contributions. Migrant workers groups are actually accusing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of diverting the OWWA fund for her campaign fund in the 2004 elections.”

The KMU leader reminded Brion that on February 14, 2003, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order 182 authorizing the transfer of around Php 4 billion OWWA Medicare Fund to PhilHealth. A year after, on February 2, 2004, the OWWA Board of Trustees, headed by its Chair, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, signed Resolution No. 5 , Series 2004, approving the transfer of P530,382,446 from the OWWA Medicare Fund to PhilHealth “to implement Executive Order 182, Series of 2003”.