Labor Advisory No. 17, a highly disadvantageous to workers - Nagkaisa

Nagkaisa denounced the Labor Advisory No. 17 that DOLE issued today as a crude instrument for super exploitation.

Ironically called the Guidelines on Employment Preservation Upon the Resumption of Labor Advisory No. 17, Series of 2020, or Labor Advisory No 17, includes Section 5 that allows employers and employees to “agree voluntarily and in writing to temporarily adjust employees’ wage and wage-related benefits.”

Nagkaisa believes that this proposition is highly disadvantageous to workers. Coming from a long ECQ, workers, especially those who are unorganized, may have no option except to follow the wishes of their employers. Many unscrupulous employers would simply threaten workers with dismissals or company closures if they don’t “voluntarily” agree to rollback their wages and other wage-related benefits.

And from the looks of it, it would be difficult to reinstate the previous wage levels enjoyed by workers as the same offensive Section 5 allows employers to “review their agreement and may renew the same” after six months.

This is the latest example of DOLE’s growing pattern of disregard worker’s welfare!

First, they failed to provide aid to all workers affected by the pandemic. After forcing workers to go hungry, they asked workers to report for work even if there is no public transportation. Then they reneged on their initial commitment to provide mass testing for all workers.

Now, DOLE is giving employers a blank check to roll back the gains made by the unions and even pay their workers starvation wages! The state must never allow itself to become a party to employers' latest trick to shortchange their workers.

This pattern of risking the lives of workers and sacrificing them for profits is not the “new normal” we want.

NAGKAISA calls on Secretary Bello to immediately rescind the Labor Advisory. Rather than ask workers to pay for the economic recovery of their employers, DOLE should ensure that workers’ welfare are properly considered in the stimulus package that government is now preparing.

NAGKAISA and KMU Launch Petition to Save Jobs, Uphold Press Freedom, Grant of Pro-workers Franchise to ABS-CBN Network

In solidarity with the union and the more than 11,000 workers of ABS-CBN who are now displaced due to the closure of the giant station, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and Kilusang Mayo Uno launched this morning a petition to get signatures to save jobs, uphold press freedom and freedom of expression, and for the grant of a pro-workers franchise.

The petition reads:

"We condemn the decision of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to shut down the ABS-CBN network. By enticing the NTC to issue a Cease and Desist Order, Solicitor General Calida and the government he represents blatantly affront press freedom and the people’s freedom of expression. The Order also renders more than 11,000 workers jobless, and their families in limbo at a time when we are reeling from the COVID-19 crisis.

"We believe that to deny or extend the franchise of ABS-CBN is within the authority of Congress (Art XII, Sec 11 of the Constitution). What the law itself has granted, the law may take away. But in the case of ABS-CBN, though its franchise has already expired, the deliberation of its renewal is on-going in Congress. NTC have arrogated unto itself the power of Congress. Thus, the unilateral act of "cease and desist" is an abuse of discretion. NTC should have first observed congressional courtesy as Congress is deliberating its franchise renewal.

"The continuous operations of the ABS-CBN is not only good for press freedom and freedom of expression -- one of the hallmarks of a democratic society-- but also good for workers and their families. It means employment for them all. The closure is detrimental to the livelihood of thousands of its employees and other employees of companies directly or indirectly related to the business of said giant media establishment.

"We call on the NTC to reverse its decision, and to let Congress decide on the matter. We call on Congress to extend a pro-worker franchise to ABS-CBN."


Sign and share the petition!

Defend jobs, uphold press freedom!

Save more than 11,000 workers from joblessness. Fight for freedom of expression! Stop the closure of ABS-CBN!

Grant a pro-workers' franchise!

No to ABS-CBN shutdown

We condemn the decision of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to shut down the ABS-CBN network. NTC should reverse its decision, and let Congress decide on the matter. We call on Congress to extend a pro-worker franchise to ABS-CBN. Sign the petition!

#NotoABSCBNShutdown
#DefendPressFreedom
#StandWithABSCBNWorkers