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Posted: November 18, 2006 |
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November 16: Cordillera workers rage against political killings, trade union repression |
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CPA ACTION ALERTS & UPDATES: Continuing harrassment and surveillance of CPA staff Justice for Rafael Markus Bangit! Justice to all victims of state terrorism MAY 2006 Updates on the surveillance and threats to Cordillera political activists APRIL2006 Updates on the surveillance and threats to Cordillera political activists |
November 16, 2006 Militant workers under the progressive leadership of the Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera joined the international community in observing November 16 as the International Day of Protest against Trade Union Repression and Political Killings in the Philippines. This date was chosen in commemoration of the historic struggle of the Hacienda Luisita workers to years ago in Central Luzon, Philippines. Seven workers were killed while many were injured at Hacienda Luisita when the police, military and goons violently dispersed the workers’ picket lines under the directive of the government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Under the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo 64 leaders, members, organizers and supporters of trade unions and informal workers organizations have been killed. More than 982 cases of trade union and human rights violations victimizing 77,028 workers were recorded by the independent Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR). Aside from killings, other violations include assault in the picket lines, illegal arrest and detention, grave threat, intimidation, abduction and harassment. Aside from the killings and harassment, labor oppression heightened under GMA’s rule, as exemplified by the Assumption of Jurisdiction order which the government used repeatedly in recent, prominent strikes as in the Lepanto workers’ strike in 2003 and 2005, and Hacienda Luisita. The Arroyo administration is hell-bent on making the situation harder for the Filipinos, and the already impoverished workers, who are victimized by the fangs of contractualization and mass terminations. Instead of addressing the plight of her people, Arroyo continues to work to remain in power through continued State terrorism and the Charter Change. The Cordillera workers unite with other sectors in their call for a stop to political killings. The Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera will continue to close in ranks with other democratic sectors, organizations and the international community in the struggle to end State terrorism and oppression! Justice
to all victims of trade union repression and political killings! Kilusang
Mayo Uno-Cordillera
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