Survivors, victims of political repression tell Arroyo: “We will prevail”

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said that while Malacanang and the military continue to antagonize groups, institutions and individuals upholding human rights and exposing the administration’s hand in the spate of politically-motivated killings and cases of trade union and human rights violations, sectors who are main targets of state-sponsored violence will prevail and advance their calls for justice. “Mendiola will be the final destination for the protests tomorrow. We will bring our demands right at the doorstep of Malacanang.”

“The outpour of international support criticizing the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government demanding a stop to the political killings in the country will be demonstrated tomorrow as the International Day of Action against Trade Union Repression and Political Killings take place in 11 countries and 13 cities worldwide. Our allied labor unions in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, India and Hongkong will protest at Philippine Consulates and Embassies in their respective countries,” said KMU Chairman Elmer Labog.

Tomorrow, workers under KMU and organizations allied with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) will assemble at Plaza Miranda, Mehan Garden, Plaza Moriones and Plaza Lacson in Manila. The groups will converge at Liwasang Bonifacio for a protest program and will march to Mendiola to show our defiance against Arroyo’s dictatorship. “We will make sure that Arroyo will hear our demands for justice,” Labog said.

Since 2001, KMU recorded 72 killings of workers and labor leaders accountable to death squads and liquidation units operating to annihilate leaders and members of progressive people’s organizations critical to the Arroyo government. Other forms of trade union repression also continue. The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) recorded 89 incidents and documented 163 cases of trade union and human rights violations. There are 31 cases of intimidation, harassments and surveillance from January to October, 72% higher compared to the same period last year. Ten trade unionists, organizers and workers who were abducted this year remain missing.

“There is also an intensified trend of oppressive conditions at work, violent attacks on strikes and employment of low-paid and least protected flexible workers,” Labog added.

“The perpetrators of these crimes want to crush militant trade unionism. But they will not succeed. We are justified in our cause. Our issues and struggles for higher wages, secured employment and overall workers’ welfare are legitimate.”

Among the large international unions abroad that have expressed support to the campaign against repression and killings of Filipino workers and signed the on-line petition launched by KMU include the: Korean Council of Trade Unions (KCTU) with membership of 800,000 workers, World Federation of Trade Unions with 10 million membership worldwide, GEFONT labor center in Nepal and numerous organizations of Filipino migrant workers in over 20 countries.