Workers to hold SONA protests

MANILA, Philippines - Militant workers are gearing up for a massive protest action in time for President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

They have set up centers in Laguna and Batangas for the protest action, according to Allan Bagas, PAMANTIK-Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general.

Over a thousand workers from Southern Tagalog are set to join other groups in the protest action on July 24, eve of the SONA, he added.

Bagas said the workers are holding the  protest action to pressure Duterte to immediately take action against contractualization.

“While President Duterte has endlessly said that he will put a stop to contractualization, we will not just wait for it to happen,” he said.

“The fiercest employers of contractual labor will go by the book and the crook to remain wallowing in their superprofits.”

Bagas said they will also hold the annual People’s SONA for the public to know the exploitation being committed against workers.

“Our region is laden with cases of harassment and increased exploitation of workers; one of the highest rates of contractual labor; atrocious working conditions, and so much more – this is what the workers want to call to end,” he said.

At least five strikes and numerous protests from contractual workers have taken place in Southern Tagalog in the past four years, Bagas said.

The Associated Labor Union has welcomed the Department of Labor and Employment’s order for all regional directors to take action against illegal contractual employment.

ALU policy advocacy officer Alan Tanjusay said the labor group hopes that this step would build momentum toward the total elimination of contractualization, “endo” or “555” precarious work arrangement.

“Since there is no silver bullet that could hastily eliminate the precarious work scheme, the scheduled workshop to be held on July 18-19 is a good venue to draw and figure out wise strategies on how best to address contractualization,” he said.

Tanjusay said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III should check on the report of Labor Law Compliance Officers who have been conducting daily labor inspection and assessment of workplaces in the regions.

“If President Duterte and Labor Secretary Bello are serious in eliminating contractualization, they should begin by increasing the number of LLCOs who will conduct the assessment and inspection of almost one million work establishments in the country,” he said.

At this time only around 500 LLCOs are tasked to ensure labor laws and policies are complied with, Tanjusay said.