Victims of this savage act are employees of the Tacurong City local government in Sultan Kudarat province and are members of the Tacurong City Employees Association (TACEA-CIU) who is an affiliate of the CIU. Those unwary and unsuspecting innocent people were on its way to the Cotabato Regional Hospital for medical check up only when the incident happened. They just happen to be at the tail end of the convoy of the Mangudadatus when the group’s convoy was allegedly stopped by the group of the Ampatuans. The convoy was immediately cordoned and sealed off including the Vios.

Reports from Tom Robles, TACEA-CIU president said that there were five (5) fatalities and that the government vehicle they were riding in was buried. Last Tuesday, November 24, 2009 the bodies of Wilhelm Palabrica, the vehicle’s driver and Mercy Palabrica, one of Tacurong City’s licensing staff were found and had showed signs of torture and multiple gunshot wounds. Wednesday was when the bodies of spouses Eduardo, the city’s licensing section head and Cecil Lechonsito were found buried beneath the Vios which was also dugged up totally wrecked from the mass grave of humans and cars.

As of yesterday November 26, 2009 the body of Daryll delos Reyes, also a licensing staff of the City of Tacurong has yet to be found.

CIU calls justice for the victims of this dastardly act of savagery to helpless and innocent unsuspecting civilians caught in the middle by greedy group of influential people who wields enormous powers and enjoy the blessings of their political patrons from the administration and flex their might in their fiefdom without regard to basic human rights and norms of a humane society.

Government should now exercise its political will with dispatch to punish the perpetrators to the full extent of the law without fear or favor and show its sincerity and by example that no one is above the law even if they are the ones instrumental in installing government leaders to their position by delivering the votes during elections.

CIU will be watching the government on what are the steps it will take to address this grossly inappropriate act of senseless killings perpetrated with impunity by politicians that were mandated by its constituents and had sworn to protect them from this kind situation together with the security forces that should also protecting from the bad elements. But in this particular case, it’s the other way around. We do believe that this is just an isolated case and that it can be resolved at the earliest possible time for as long as no one will suppress the truth and that press freedom and liberty will still prevail.

Meanwhile, we will continue to mourn the passing of our dead and pray that justice will be served as swiftly as their lives were taken. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to their bereaved families.

Eduardo Lechonsito, a government employee in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, was bound for a hospital in Cotabato City after suffering a mild stroke early Monday morning.

Lechonsito, 53, went with his wife Cecille, his co-workers Mercy Palabrica and Daryll delos Reyes, and driver Wilhelm Palabrica.

Unsuspecting of the fate that awaited them, Lechonsito’s group passed along the national highway in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao en route to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City. They were behind the convoy that turned out to be the target of about a hundred militiamen believed to be private army members of the Ampatuan clan.

According to Tom Robles, head of the Tacurong City Employees Union, Lechonsito and his companions were abducted and killed on mere suspicion that they were part of the convoy led by Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of gubernatorial aspirant Buluan town Vice Mayor Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu.

“Doon sa highway, napasama lang sila sa na-hold na convoy,” Robles told GMANews.TV.

News of the mass killing shocked the nation Monday afternoon. Authorities said the fatalities included women and several journalists. As of Wednesday noon, the total number of bodies recovered in the massacre site in Ampatuan town had reached 52.

Also on Wednesday, police operatives excavated a red Toyota Vios at the killing fields. Chief Superintendent Felicisimo Khu, head of the Task Force Alpha in Maguindanao, confirmed that the vehicle was the one used by Lechonsito’s party.

“Kay Mr. Lechonsito nga iyong kotse,” Khu told GMANews.TV.

He added that the bodies of three passengers have been recovered. The bodies of Mercy Palabrica and Wilhelm Palabrica were recovered Tuesday, while that of Cecille Lechonsito was recovered Wednesday noon.

“Hinahanap pa namin yung kay Mr. Lechonsito at dun sa isa (referring to Daryll delos Reyes),” Khu added.

Robles said the recovered vehicle had the seal of the Tacurong City government, confirming suspicions that Lechonsito’s group was among the victims of the massacre. “Yung nahukay na kotse, may seal kasi ng Tacurong government. So alam namin na kay Mr. Lechonsito iyon,” Robles said.

Robles said the Tacurong City Employees Union are denouncing the attack and would prod the government to deliver justice to the victims.

“Kinukundina namin ang nangyari. Magbibigay kami ng position paper. Sa Sunday, magsusuot kami ng black at maglalabas kami ng mga tarpaulin na nagsasabing kinukundina namin ang pangyayari,” he said. – RSJ, GMANews.TV

Sa kasaluyang dinaranas natin sa kadahilanan ng Pandaigdigang Krisis na Pinansiyal na lalong nagpalala ng ating sitwasyon, muli nating ginigiit ang ating mga karapatan at karaingan.

DEKALIDAD AT KASIGURUHAN SA TRABAHO….IPAGLABAN!!!

Sa pamamagitan ng sinasabing Rationalization Program (EO 366) sa burukrasya na ipinapatupad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon upang paliitin ang bilang ng mga manggagawa, patuloy naman ang pagtatatag ng bagong ahensiya upang mailuklok sa puwesto ang kanilang mga ka-alyado at mga kamag-anakan. Hindi ba ito isang maliwanag na panlilinlang sa ating mga manggagawa at sa buong mamamayang Pilipino? Ito ay matinding dagok sa ating mga manggagawa na matagal nang naghihintay ng dagdag na sahod at benepisyo, sa halip, ngayon ay napipintong mawalan pa ng trabaho dahil sa implementasyon na rin ng nasabing “Ir-Rationalization” at iba pang KONTRA manggagawang programa ng pamahalaan.

KONTRAKTUWALISASYON, IR-RATIONALIZATION AT PRIVATIZATION PROGRAMS…….TIGILAN NA!
MAAYOS AT DEKALIDAD NA TRABAHO AT PASAHOD…..IPATUPAD!

AGARANG PAGBIBIGAY NG P 3,500 ACROSS THE BOARD DAGDAG NA SAHOD PARA SA MANGGAGAWA SA PUBLIKO SEKTOR!

Matagal nang dumaranas ng matinding kahirapan ang mamamayang Pilipino dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing serbisyo at bilihin samantalang di makasapat ang maliit na kita ng mga manggagawa na ang malaking bahagi nito ay napupunta sa buwis at iba pang kinakaltas bago pa man matanggap ng manggagawa ang sahod.

Kaugnay sa pag rereporma ng ating gobyerno partikular sa bagong pasahod sa publiko sector ay ang panukalang Salary Standardization Law (SSL3) bagong iskema daw na planong ipatupad sa darating na Hulyo ng taong ito, subalit ano ang magiging epekto nito sa maliliit ang sinasahod kumpara sa mas malalaki ang suweldo? Muli, palalawakin nito ang “gap” sa pagitan ng mga matataas ang sahod sa mabababa ang tinatanggap. Sapat na dahilan ito upang mas lalong igiit natin na magkaroon ng partisipasyon ang mga manggagawa sa lahat ng proseso ng pagtatalakay sa mga polisiya na kung saan direktang apektado tayong mga manggagawa.

DECENT LIVING WAGE ang ipagkaloob, di lang MINIMUM WAGE!!!!
P 3,500.00 ACROSS THE BOARD WAGE INCREASE IBIGAY NA!!!

GSIS, SAGIPIN…..WINSTON GARCIA PATALSIKIN!

At sino ang hindi makaka-alala sa kagyat at arbitraryong pagpapatigil ng pag-proseso ng mga loans at pensions na nagdulot ng mahabang aberya at pasakit sa mayorya ng 1.4 milyong aktibong GSIS members? Diumano ito’y ginawa upang bigyan daan ang GSIS computerization program na nagkakahalaga ng P 700 million kahit na ito’y kayang isakatuparan sa mas maliit na halaga na P 40 million lamang.

Sinabi noon ni G. Garcia na mapapabilis nito ang mga transaksyon ng GSIS. Ngunit sa halip na bumilis ang proseso, kabaligtaran ang nangyari. Umabot ng di kukulangin sa 6 na buwan bago pa man naipagpatuloy ng GSIS ang pag-proseso ng mga nabinbing loans pati na pensions.

At ngayon, sa panahon ng krisis pampinansiyal, imbes na magbigay ng maayos at “transparent” na pamamahala si G. Garcia ay kabaligtaran pa rin ang nangyayari. Sa ilalim ng kanyang termino, hindi malinaw at walang pagpapaliwanag kung ano na ang nangyayari sa P26.54 bilyon Global Investment Program (GIP) Portfolio ng GSIS! Sa gitna ng papatinding krisis, nais natin malaman kung saan ito naka-invest, anong uri ng investment at kung ano na ang katayuan ng mga pondo na ating pagmamay-ari. Nakakatakot isipin na ang pondong ating inaasahan sa panahon ng pangangailangan at pagreretiro ay malulusaw na lamang kasabay ng pagbagsak ng mga banko sa ibang bansa na ang epekto ay higit na tumatama sa mga maliliit na bansa gaya ng Pilipinas.

Sobra na ang kahirapang ating nararanasan. Panahon na upang parusahan ang tunay na maysala sa lahat ng katiwaliang ito. Panahon na upang sagipin at repormahin ang GSIS sa kamay ni G. Garcia.

PAG-IIMBISTIGA NG MABABANG KAPULUNGAN…..MADALIIN!
GSIS REPORMAHIN!, WINSTON GARCIA PATALSIKIN!

“CORRUPTION,” SOBRA NA, TAMA NA, LABANAN NA!

Ang corruption sa ilalim ng Arroyo Administration ay napakalala. Sa ngayon parang mga virus na nag-uumalma at sumisingaw sa Pandora’s box ang corrupt practices.

Maraming malalakas ang loob ang nagbubunyag ng mga nagaganap na anomalya sa ating pamahalaan, ngunit ang justice system natin ay kakaiba, bukod sa napakabagal, may kinikilingan pa kadalasan at ang nababalikan ay yung gumawa ng paglalantad ng katiwalian.

Ngunit di tayo dapat manghina at matakot, ipagpatuloy ang laban ng manggagawa, dahil mananaig parin ang kabutihan sa kasamaan.

Kayat muli ang pag-giit ng Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU) ang panawagang bigyan-pansin ang mga usaping ito upang maiangat ang kalagayan, moralidad at dignidad ng mga manggagawa sa publiko sector at ng sambayanang Pilipino.

MABUHAY ANG URING MANGGAGAWA!!!

Ang Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ay itinatag para sa kapakanan at kagalingan ng bawat kawani o empleyadong nasa pampublikong sektor sa pamamagitan ng paglalaan ng karampatang “social security benefits.” Dahil dito, ang pamumuno at pangangasiwa sa napakahalagang institusyong ito ay nangangailangan ng kahusayan, walang bahid-dungis na reputasyon, hindi matatawarang kredibilidad at may puso o malasakit sa mga ordinaryong manggagawa.

Subalit nakakalungkot isipin na HINDI ito nangyayari sa pamumuno ni Ginoong Winston F. Garcia – naturingang Presidente at General Manager ng GSIS.

Bulok na Pamamahala, Lantarang Pandarambong

Sa katunayan, sa simula pa lamang ng kanyang termino, nakitaan na kaagad ang kanyang pamumuno ng kawalan ng integridad, epektibong pamamahala at kahusayan. Noon pa lamang 2003, mismong ang Department of Finance (DoF) at ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) na ang nagsabi na labis ang pagkukulang at kawalan ng maayos na pamamahala ng GSIS sa ilalim ni G. Garcia.

Isama pa dito ang kaliwa’t kanang anomalya, iregularidad at batikos ng pandarambong na kinasangkutan ni G. Garcia. Sa loob laman ng unang 10 buwan ng kanyang panunungkulan, mayroon siyang “unliquidated cash advances” na nagkakahalaga ng P5.25 milyon at hindi maipaliwanag na “miscellaneous expenses” na nagkakahalaga ng P6.9 milyon. Tunay nga, ang GSIS sa pamumuno ni G. Garcia, imbes na maging taga-pangalaga ng kagalingan ng ating mga kawani ay naging pesonal na “bangko” o gatasan ni G. Garcia gamit ang pera ng mga kawani.

Ang Walang Silbing Computerization Program

At sino ang hindi makakaalala sa kagyat at arbitraryong pagpapatigil ng pag-proseso ng mga loans at pensions noong Marso 2003 na nagdulot ng mahabang aberya at pasakit sa mayorya ng 1.4 milyong aktibong GSIS members? Diumano ito’y ginawa upang bigyan daan ang GSIS computerization program na nagkakahalaga ng P 700 million kahit na ito’y kayang isakatuparan sa mas maliit na halaga na P 40 million.
Sinabi noon ni G. Garcia na papabilisin nito ang mga transaksyon ng GSIS at aabot lamang ng 2 buwan ang pagsasaayos. Ngunit imbes na bumilis ang mga proseso, kabaligtaran ang nangyari. Ang 2 buwan na palugit ay umabot ng 6 na buwan bago pa man naipagpatuloy ng GSIS ang pag-proseso ng mga nabinbing loans at pensions.

Delayed Posting/Updating, Mali-maling Records at Unauthorized Loan Transactions

At hanggang ngayon, ang pinsala nito ay patuloy na nararamdaman. Patuloy at talamak ang insidente ng mali-maling encoding ng mga consolidated at updated records ng mga kawani, “unauthorized loan transactions” at ang tila usad pagong at di-maayos na “updating” at “posting” ng mga premiums at automatic deductions na lalong nagdagdag ng pasakit sa mga kawani na lubhang nangangailangan na ng kagyat na ayuda mula sa GSIS sa pinakamadaling panahon.

Talamak na rin ang mga reklamo kaugnay ng sobrang bagal na paglalabas ng ating mga karampatang benepisyo bilang myembro ng GSIS. Taliwas naman ito sa kalagayan ni G. Garcia na sa loob lamang ng dalawaang araw ay nakakuha agad ng P 11 milyon na housing loan noong Nobyembre 2003. Pondo natin ang nasa GSIS, bakit hindi natin makuha sa tamang panahon ang salaping bawat buwan ay awtomatikong ibinabawas sa ating sweldo?

Pinagkait na Retirement Benefits

Dagdag pa dito, ipinagkait din ni G. Garcia ang retirement benefits sa maraming mga casual at contractual employees kahit na may maliwanag na desisyon dito ang Civil Service Commission na pumapabor sa mga manggagawa. Tila walang magandang pagtingin si G. Garcia sa mga kawani, hindi tulad sa mga obra nila Juan Luna na kaya niyang labasan ng pera at bilhin sa halagang P 46 milyon gamit ang pera natin sa GSIS habang tayo ay halos pumuti na ang mga mata sa paghihintay sa ating mga loans, pension at retirement benefits.

Global Investment Program

At ngayon sa panahon ng krisis pampinansiya, imbes na magbigay ng maayos at “transparent” na pamamahala si G. Garcia ay kabaligtaran pa rin ang nangyari. Sa ilalim ng kanyang termino, hindi malinaw at walang pagpapaliwanag kung ano na ang nangyari sa P26.54 bilyon Global Investment Program (GIP) Portfolio ng GSIS! Sa gitna ng papatinding krisis, nais natin malaman kung saan ito naka-invest, anong uri ng investment at kung ano na ang katayuan ng mga pondo na ating pagmamay-ari. Nakakatakot isipin na ang pondong ating inaasahan sa panahon ng pangangailangan at pagreretiro ay malulusaw na lamang kasabay ng pagbagsak ng mga banko sa ibang bansa.

GSIS Repormahin, Winston Garcia Patalsikin

Iilan lmang ito sa marami pang kaso ng katiwalian at maling pamamalakad ng GSIS sa ilalim ni G. Garcia. Ngunit isa lamang ang isinasalarawan ng lahat ng ito: sadyang Bulok at tiwali ang pamumuno ni G. Winston Garcia sa GSIS. BULOK dahil bilang mga kawani ng gobyerno, alam natin ang ibig sabihin ng tunay at epektibong serbisyo-serbisyo na hindi naibigay kahit kailan ni G. Garica. TIWALI dahil hindi lang sa hindi natin mapagtiwalaan sa mahusay na pamamahala ng ating pondo si G. Garcia, pinagnanakawan pa niya ang mga kawani.

Sobra na ang kahirapang ating nararanasan. Panahon na para parusahan ang tunay na maysala sa lahat ng katiwaliang ito. Panahon na para sagipin at repormahin ang GSIS sa kamay ni G. Garcia.

Dahil dito, kaming mga kawani ng gobyerno ay pumipirma at NANANAWAGAN SA KAGYAT NA PAGTANGGAL KAY GINOONG WINSTON F. GARCIA sa KANYANG PWESTO sa LALONG MADALING PANAHON.

PSI notes that the Israeli authorities, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the forefront, have stated that Israel will not allow a humanitarian crisis to break out.

In the present situation where the people in Gaza have suffered for years from a lack of basic supplies, where water and electricity are rare resources, where hospitals are overstretched, where the 1.4 million people are prevented from getting out of the area, it is impossible to describe the situation as anything but a humanitarian crisis.

“The fighting in Gaza must stop now!” says PSI General Secretary, Peter Waldorff, “The solution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine will not be found in military interventions. Further bombings are more likely to increase anger and radicalisation and cause more violence and additional victims.”

The world has witnessed many attempts to create a lasting solution for Palestine and Israel end in a cul-de-sac. The only way forward, however, is through a return to the negotiating table.

PSI remains in contact with its affiliates in both Israel and Palestine and calls on other affiliates to issue similar messages calling for an immediate cessation of violence in the Palestinian/Israeli territories.

Public Services International
45, Avenue Voltaire – BP 9 – 01211 Ferney-Voltaire Cedex – France
Tel : +33(0)4 50 40 64 64 – Fax : +33(0)4 50 40 73 20 – www.world-psi.org – psi@world-psi.org

CIU is a member of PSI

by the Stop the War Coalition-Philippines

We at Stop the War Coalition Philippines, a broad coalition of civil society organizations, social movements, labor unions, political parties, human rights, women’s, students, religious and other organizations, strongly condemn Israel’s war crimes against the people of Gaza and the international community.

These latest attacks are not only disproportionate, they are completely unjustifiable.

At the root of the continuing tragedy in the Middle East is the continuing illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel. That Israel is able to continue this occupation and that it is able to bomb and kill indiscriminately without restraint points to the incapacity of the international community, including the United Nations and the world’s governments, to uphold peace and justice. It is this unwillingness to act that will ensure that more blood and tears will flow from this escalating war.

We in the Philippines must help stop this war not only because thousands of Filipino migrant workers are caught in the crossfire but because we have a stake in creating a world with peace and justice.

We at the Stop the War Campaign demand that Israel should immediately end its war crimes in Gaza and end the occupation of Palestine.

We demand that the United States immediately stops arming and funding Israel’s war.

We call on the international community, the United Nations and all responsible international government and civil society organizations, to stop Israel from continuing its attacks and to support a just resolution to the crisis.

We demand that the Philippine government begins the process of severing all diplomatic ties with Israel until it complies with international law and ends the occupation of Palestine. At the same time, we also call for immediate relief and evacuation plans for Filipino workers in the region. We demand more jobs for Filipinos at home so that they will not be forced to seek employment in outlaw states.

As our elected representatives, our government should take a stand in favor of international law and justice, summon the Israeli ambassador to protest, and expressly condemn Israel for its actions.

We demand that Manila and other government units revoke their “sister city” ties with Israeli cities.

We call on our parliamentarians and diplomats to likewise denounce Israel’s actions.

In solidarity with the Palestinian, as well as Israeli people opposed to war, we call on trade unions, universities, cultural organizations, political parties, and other social movements and civil society groups to be part of a global boycott and sanctions campaign against Israel.#

STOP THE WAR! COALITION- PHILIPPINES

MEMBERS:
Akbayan! Citizens’ Action Party
Akbayan! Youth
Alab Katipunan (AK)
Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO)
Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL)
ALMANA
Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Kabataan (ALYANSA)
Alyansa ng Sambayanan para sa Agarang Reporma (ASAP)
Anak Mindanao (AMIN)
APPRA
ASSALAM Bangsamoro
ASSALAM Party
Bagong Kamalayan Collective, Inc (BKCI)
Balay Rehabilitation Center Inc.
Bangsamoro People’s Solidarity
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
Coalition Against Trafficking of Women Asia Pacific (CATW-AP)
Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU)
Community Organizing and Rural Development, Inc. (Billah Islam)
Filipino Democratic Movement (FILDEM)
FOCUS on the Global South
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Gathering for Peace (GfP)
GZO Peace Institute
Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD)
International South Group Network (ISGN)
Juan Makata
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission-AMRSP
K! Kalayaan NCR-BLC
KAAKBAY AFDM
KALAYAAN!
KANLUNGAN
Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)
Kongreso ng Mamamayan Para sa Kalayaan (KOMPAK)
Laban ng Masa (LnM)
League of Urban Poor for Action (LUPA)
Liga Manggagawa (LM)
Lolas Kampanyera WW II Filipina “Comfort Women” Survivors of Japanese
Military Sexual Slavery
MAKABAYAN Pilipinas
Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan (MAKABAYAN)
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)
Moro Human Rights Center
Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP)
Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Inang Bayan (KAISA-KA)
Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (PKMP)
Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid (PKMM)
Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK)
Partido Manggagawa (PM)
Peace Women Partners
People’s Task Force for Bases Clean UP Philippines
Philippine Peace and Security Council (PPSC)
Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)
Pinay Kilos! (PINK!)
Progresibong Alyansa ng Mangingisda (PANGISDA)
Progressive Organization of Worker Advocates (PRO-WORKER)
Resource Center for People’s Development (RCPD)
Samahan ng Demokratikong Kabataan (SDK)
SANLAKAS
Solidarity of Unions and Labor Organizations for a New Government
(SULONG)
Strategic Initiatives of Pinoys Abroad – Bangkok (SIPA)
Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP)
Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS)
Task Force Subic Rape (TFSR)
Teatrong Bayan
Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women (TW-MAE-W)
Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc.,
UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran
(UP ALYANSA)
UP Assabiyah
WEDPRO Inc.
Women and Gender Commission AMRSP
Women and Gender Institute (WAGI)
Women’s Legal Bureau, Inc (WLB)
YES to Change
Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN)
Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND)

ENDORSED BY:
Jihad al Akbar
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)
Ranaw Disaster Response & Rehabilitation Assistance Center
SALAM, Incorporated
Sumpay Mindanao
TRIPOD Foundation, Inc
WomanHealth Philippines

16 Days of Activism to end violence against women 25 November – 10 December 2008

VisFePSU says NO to violence against women!

VisFePSU is sending you this white ribbon as part of the 16 days of action against violence against women.  Public Services International (PSI) says it is time to end violence against women. The campaign is a global initiative in which trade unions and NGOs seek to raise awareness of and campaign against gender-based violence. PSI is participating in the campaign along with the ITUC and other global union federations.

PSI encourages you to join this awareness campaign – send on a white ribbon or hold other activities. See www.world-psi. org/VAW

“Today’s picket is primarily staged to make the Arroyo government accountable for failing to provide decent work to Filipino people.” Josua Mata, Secretary General of Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) said. Mata added that the Philippines is one of the signatories to the International Labor Organization’s call “Decent Work for All”. “But the Philippine government has consistently failed to live up to its commitment to generate decent jobs and to protect the same, forcing workers to migrate. Decent work does not include prostitution where many women migrants are trapped. Worst, its track record in “promoting” decent work is seriously marred by its undeclared war against trade union.” Mata added.

Trade unions have been in the forefront of struggle against the policies of this government which according to them are not in tune to creating decent and permanent jobs for workers. For years, trade unions vehemently opposed the labor flexibility policies and privatization which leads to massive dislocation of workers.

Even those who have permanent status and been working for many years are not spared. Early this year, government sold PNCC Skyway to CITRA, resulting to mass retrenchment of more than 600 workers. Now more than 4,000 workers of Transco could be sacked should government succeed in privatizing the country’s transmission lines.

“What can you expect from a government that can’t even take care of its own employees?”, lamented Jillian Roque of the Public Services-Labor Independent Confederation (PS-Link). Roque lambasted government for denying decent wages for its teacher. “This is one major reason why teachers have been migrating abroad. Some to work as domestic workers,” Roque added.

“The truth is, government is the biggest violator of workers’ constitutional right to job security,” Mike Maga of the Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU) said. This situation was exacerbated by government’s Rationalization Plan (EO 366), which led to the replacement of permanent workers with contractual employees. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of contractual employees toiling in government bureaucracy, some for many years now.

As part of the Peoples Global Action, the workers urged the government to scrap its “labor export policy”.

Ellene Sana, Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) explained that, “We in Peoples’ Global Action is not against migration per se. But it should not be a “forced migration. But what is happening, the government is the one selling our workers (both professional and skilled) to the world by entering into agreements with other advanced countries. This is tantamount to commodifying our workers. “

The group said that instead of scavenging job opportunities abroad, government should put full employment at the center of all its policies. This can only be achieved through industrialization, which in turn would require a whole new set of fiscal, monetary, trade, industrial and other policies.

“That is why, come October 22-30, as we engage in the official Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) we will work hard to put forward the Philippine Civil Society position that will strongly urge our government and other governments to include the issues of human rights in the realm of migration and not just talk about the financial benefits that migrants have been contributing to their countries economy. “ Ellene Sana added.

“Why hail our migrants as “Bagong Bayani”, when this government cannot guarantee them protection. They save our economy but we cannot save them from dire distress and unfortunate fate.” The group lamented.

Contact: Agnes Matienzo (MFA Secretariat) – Tel. No. 4333508 or

Aladin Diega (Kanlungan) – 09182257228

Jessie (AKBAYAN) – 09272466808

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – More and more public employees are expressing their growing fear to losing their jobs – either by being replaced by a contractual worker or due to retrenching.
Due to this local public employees in SOCSKARGEN (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Province and General Santos) launched a campaign, September 26, against contractualization in Mindanao through an assembly.

Miguel Maga Jr., National Coordinator of Trade Union Rights Project Philippines, the practice of contractualization kills organized workers’ movements. “From the 37 million workforces nationwide only 5 percent is organized as regular employees are now outnumbered by contract basis workers, i.e. contractual, casual, trainees.”

“If it happened to me, it will happen to anyone,” he added.

Maga who used to work in a government agency in Manila was forced to take an early retirement incentive as his former managers called for rationalization to cut costs. Some of his former fellow regular employees chose to stay and were hired as contractual basis workers.

Compare to an employee with a regular position, contractual workers do not have job security and do not enjoy benefits, right to form organization and some rights to good compensation. “It strips you off your dignity as a worker,” said Maga.

He said contractual workers cannot even be called members of a company where they are working.

Understanding contractualization

Professor Adela Ellson of University of the Philippines in Mindanao meanwhile told the assembly that contractualization is a result of globalization.

“This is the move of businessmen as a result of reengineering, reorganization or adopting of new technology which lessens expenses and at the same time lessen the need of labor force. Since business is adherently competitive, they take advantage to the fact that there are many who are desperate to get a job,” said Ellson.

Ellson who made a study on contractualization stood as the guest speaker of the assembly.

To maintain a position in a company, she recommended multi-skilling of a worker. She also recommended massive information and dissemination campaigns among workers to empower the workforce. For the key players, she proposed mastering changes in industry, technology and new labor relations patterns with retrenchment and downsizing as the last option.

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Miguel Maga Jr. is currently a national officer of CIU.

The Welga ng Kababaihan, which includes the Freedom from Debt Coalition Women’s Committee, stressed that it is a woman’s right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to her sexual and reproductive health, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.

In a statement of support to House Bill 5043 or An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development, the group said the RH Bill embodies many aspects of the principle of reproductive health as a woman’s right.

Central to overall health

“The RH Bill promotes sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflects a commitment to women’s social and economic well-being, and affirms the moral capacity of women and men to make sound decisions about their lives,” the group said.

It added that because reproductive health is central to overall health, fundamental aspects of women’s well-being are compromised when reproductive health is ignored.

“Women are placed in bondage to reproduction and biology if only ‘natural family planning’ is tolerated,” the group stressed.

Right to Choose

“The RH Bill makes it the responsibility of the state to protect the right to choose, not to make decisions for individuals. Women’s right to choose is a basic part of exercising control over their lives. The Bill provides for women to be informed and to services that will ensure women’s ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights,” the women’s group said.

However, reproductive rights are only likely to be exercised effectively and responsibly by women when certain other economic and social rights and entitlements have been realized, it said.

“The conditions under which choices are made are as important as the actual content of women’s choices: the right to choose is a meaningless abstraction if women are powerless to choose,” the group explained.

Recognizing health complications

The group supports the RH Bill because it “recognizes the catastrophic health consequences of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.”

“Poverty is not only implicated in these deaths, it is also often its direct cause. The RH Bill acknowledges the reproductive health needs of vulnerable young and poor women and the removal of legal as well as attitudinal punitive measures against those who have undergone poorly managed abortions,” it said.

Integral to social and economic health

The RH Bill acknowledges that reproductive and sexual health is integral to social and economic health, the group said.

“Fertility control must be part of a broader program which seeks to: improve women’s health and education; provide women with productive work; promote gender equity, especially by placing equal responsibility for reproduction and child-rearing on men; and, reorient structural social,  economic and development processes towards an equitable distribution of  the nation’s, and the world’s, productive assets,” it said.

Exercising reproductive options

The group believes that the RH Bill affirms that human sexuality and gender relations are closely interrelated and together affect the ability of men and women to achieve and maintain sexual health and manage their reproductive lives.

“The differential power between men and women in general, and husbands and wives in particular, is a major factor in women’s ability to exercise reproductive options. Those who have most at stake in every pregnancy should be allowed a decisive voice and choice on their own behalf,” it said.

Welga ng Kababaihan

Aside from FDC Women’s Committee, members of the Welga ng Kababaihan include: AKBAYAN, Alab Katipunan, Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), ANAWIM, Bagong Kamalayan, BUDYONG – PLKP, BUKLOD, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) – Kababaihan, Center for Empowerment and Resource Development (CERD), Center for Migrants Advocacy  (CMA), Centro Saka Inc. (CSI), Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Asia Pacific (CATW-AP), Confederation of Independent Unions (CIU), Damayan ng mga Pilipinong Api (DAMPA), Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), Institute for Popular Democracy (IPD), Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF), International Gender and Trade Network- Asia (IGTN).

Jubilee South, Kaalagad, KABAPA, KAKAMMPI, Kalayaan – Housing, Kalayaan – Madza, KASAMA-PILIPINAS, Katipunan para sa Pagpapalaya ng Sambayanan (KALAYAAN!) – Women, Kilusang Kababaihang Mangingisda, KPML, Labor Education Research Institute (LEARN), LAKAMBINI – PAKISAMA. MAKALAYA, NGOs for Fisheries Reform (NFR), PADAYON, PAKISAMA, Pambansang Kongreso ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan(PKKK), Pambansang Tagapag-ugnay ng mga Manggagawa sa Bahay (PATAMABA) PANGISDA-KKM.

Partido ng Manggagawa (PM), Philippine Ecumenical Action for Community Empowerment (PEACE), Foundation, Inc., Philippine Network of Rural Development Initiatives (Philnet-RDI),  Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) – Gender Desk, PIGLAS Kababaihan, PKKK-K!, Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), SANLAKAS Women, SARILAYA, SDK, Social Watch, Ugnayan ng Kababaihan sa Pulitika (UKP), WomanHealth Philippines, Inc., Women’s Crisis Center (WCC), Women’s Education Development Productivity and Research Organization (WEDPRO), Womenspace, and Zone One Tondo Organization (ZOTO).

Today, after four years, thousands of our fellow government workers had been hit by this irrational rationalization. And to us who remains in service fears that anytime we will be the next to be added to the statistics of unemployed.

EO 366 will trim down government workforce by 30% or about 420,000 workers. It is irrational to implement such a program especially now that we are in crisis. Prices of basic goods are increasing. Unemployment rate is also increasing. Even those with work can hardly make both ends meet. There are already cases of employees who are now suffering an impoverish life as a result of the program implementation.

The rationalization program, did make us as sacrificial lambs by this government, in the name of curbing corruptions and in the guise of promoting efficient bureaucracy. It is a common knowledge that corruption happens more often at the higher level. Meanwhile, efficiency is a question of public administration.

We also want to make it clear, we are in support of efforts to reform the bureaucracy, we are also aware of the dysfunctions in our sector. But it should have been done with much wisdom and justice. Being in public service is indeed a pride for most of us. We spent the best of our youthful days in service. We are aware that sometime we are the subject of criticism and ridicule. But we stand firm as we pursue our civil service career. In exchange, we expect this government to protect and uphold our rights and welfare.

We cannot count on to the promised safety nets being dangled by the government. How many times did they swear to high heavens of benefits that will be delivered to us. Weʼve been asking this government for a pay increase, but this only fell on deaf ears. Instead, they slapped us with EO 366. We are bent to follow the example of those government workers who retired with grace and dignity, but EO 366 will deny us of this chance.

We strongly urge this government to exercise its political will to develop a responsive and efficient bureaucracy by instituting genuine reforms. Make us

their partners in realizing this by constant consultation and not by treating us as mere employees that they can easily dispose of.

We are calling on all our colleagues in public sector to join us in this fight against rationalization. Let us put a stop in the continuing polarization and politization of the bureaucracy at the detriment of our people.

We also challenge our legislators to get back what this government and past administration had taken away from us and to listen to the cry of government workers.

We also call on the attention of those who have presidential ambitions to seriously reconsider this rationalization program and come out in the open and lay down their program in reforming the bureaucracy.

Today, as we pour in our outrage to EO 366, we vow to continue and face this bigger fight. This is a fight for the delivery of quality public services. This is the fight for the future o young Filipinos, to whom we will leave the legacy of a dedicated work in public sector.

Joint Statement of the:

Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU)
Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLink)
Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA)
Alliance of Government Workers in Water Sector (AGWWAS)
Manila Water Employees Union (MWEU)
Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW)
Maynilad Water Supervisor Association (MWSA)
NAPOCOR Employees Consolidated Union (NECO)

With:
Public Services International (PSI)

“The 10% salary hike will not be much help to rank-and-file government employees because the increase would not even be enough to buy a sack of rice. The increase will not give any relief to small government employees especially during these difficult times, only high ranking government officials will significantly benefit from it.”

This is the response of the Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU) to the order of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to increase the basic pay of national government employees by 10% effective July 1.

“If the intention of the president is to help low-income government employees to survive during this crisis, then a percentage increase will not really improve their condition. In fact for poor government employees, the 10% increase is more a propaganda than a blessing. This is another publicity stint especially because the President is set to sign the Executive Order on May 1 as some sort of a gift to government workers even if the implementation is still in July,” declared CIU Chairperson Emako Naldoza.

The CIU explained that a percentage increase works against employees in low salary grades because the additional income they would receive will be very minimal. “An employee with Salary Grade 1 would only receive an additional P546.80 monthly. Minus deductions, the increase in his or her take home pay would actually be P361.12 only and that meager amount cannot save his or her family from hunger and poverty,” Naldoza explained.

According to the group, the majority of government employees belong to Salary Grade 10 and below. The salary grade of most public school teachers is SG 10. “Under the scheme, teachers’ salaries would increase by only P1,049.50 minus deductions the actual increase in their take home pay will only be P618.52 which is barely enough to buy half a cavan of rice,” Naldoza said.

The group also stressed that a percentage increase in basic salary favors government officials in managerial positions and those in top posts like cabinet secretaries and the president who enjoy allowances and other perks. “With the percentage hike, President Arroyo’s salary will rise by P6,352.50 and, in a way, this is scandalous if compared to the meager P546.80 increase for a poor Salary Grade 1 employee. There is no equity in this scheme, it only widens further the already glaring gap between the income of rank-and-file workers and those holding top posts,” Naldoza said.

The CIU is instead pushing for an across the board increase in the basic salary of government workers. Naldoza explained that “if this administration is serious about really alleviating the condition of government employees, then it should implement instead an across the board P3,500.00 increase. It is only through this measure that the government can provide relief to low income personnel.”

AKBAYAN Party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros supports the position of the CIU and also insists that low-income earners should also be given tax relief. “The meager salary of low-income workers is further reduced by tax deductions. They should be unburdened so that their take home pay can increase. A single public school teacher with Salary Grade 10, is deducted around P500.00 in withholding tax, this amount is almost equivalent to the net increase in their salaries under the new scheme of the Arroyo administration,” Rep. Hontiveros said.