Building solidarity and strengthening our struggles to address the economic and climate crisis in the fight to change the system
Last September 17, 2012, in an inspiring expression of solidarity from the South to the North, more than 35 social movements and civil society organizations from Asia together with regional networks, international organizations and social movements, sent a letter to our brothers and sisters in Occupy Wall Street on the occasion of the first anniversary of their struggle.
This was a direct result of the social movements meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand last August 31. Called by La Via Campesina together with several social movements from around Asia, the open meeting which was attended by over 60 representatives of social movements and civil society organizations, aimed to collectively assess, analyze and strategize on how to regain our momentum in the fight against climate change, build solidarity and connect our struggles to change the system. The open meeting was very successful in achieving its stated objectives and agreed to hold a follow up assembly in Manila, Philippines during the World Social Forum on Migrations.
Confronting the reconfiguration of capitalism that deepens the environmental and economic crisis
For us in Asia, we are no strangers to the financial and economic crises plaguing the world now. The Asian financial crisis of the late 90’s witnessed the crash of several Asian economies and their currencies with the Indonesian rupiah losing as much as 80 percent of its value. Today, as the financial and economic crises hit the centers of capitalism in the US and EU, the reverberations can be felt across the world, including Asia. In this highly globalized neoliberal capitalist system, there will be no escape from the crisis.
Given the lessons though of the Asian financial crisis and the somber assessment of the 2008 global financial crisis, it is clear that bankers and financial speculators that have run amuck and the governments who allowed them to do so, are to blame. Yet, despite all the evidence, banks and financial institutions were bailed out and people made to pay. Finance capital has been allowed to grow instead of being disciplined. The numbers do not lie. In 2011 alone, the speculative economy reached a staggering 1,500 trillion US dollars leaving behind the real economy value of 64 trillion US dollars.
But it does not stop there. Capitalists, under the new Green Economy, will be able to put a price on nature and its functions and bring these into the market. Following the example of carbon markets where polluters can trade their polluting rights, under the green economy, parts of nature and biodiversity will be priced, exploited, traded and offset.
This concept of endless growth, on a planet that has clearly reached its limits, can no longer continue. Already, we feel the impacts of climate change with extreme weather events. Droughts, floods, heat, cold – all in extremes – have wreaked havoc on crops, food and water supplies, livelihoods, exacerbating hunger and generating a new set of climate migrants.
The world is standing at a precipice. It is clear that if we are to have real change then we will need to take action.
In this context, at our last meeting in Bangkok on the 31st of August 2012, we came to the understanding that in order to address this new offensive from capital it is necessary to link the social and environmental struggles at local, regional and global levels – to connect the urgent demands of the people for food, water, health, energy, employment, rights and access with the struggles against climate change, financial speculation, land grabbing, neoliberal free trade and investment agreements, impunity of transnational corporations, criminalization of migrants and refugees, austerity measures and social security cuts.
We need to develop and strengthen the connections between the different alternatives that are being promoted by social movements like food sovereignty, energy democracy, human security, rights of nature, deglobalization, defense of the commons and several others to overcome the capitalist system.
We call on all social movements, people’s organizations, civil society and activists to come to Manila during the World Social Forum on Migrations and to join us in a discussion from 9am-6pm on November 28, 2012, about our proposals and strategies to build solidarity and strengthen our struggles and discuss our alternatives to address the economic and climate crisis in the fight to change the system.
Below is a proposed agenda:
1) Perspective setting: Global crises and the need for alternatives
2) Discussion on elements of alternatives to the system – Economic Justice, Political Sovereignty, Environmental and Climate Justice, and Social Justice
3) Building solidarity: discussion on supporting and linking struggles
4) Next steps
We hope that this will be a step forward in our struggle to reclaim our future.
*Please send us an email if you would like to attend this assembly: Josua Mata of Alliance of Progressive Labor josua@apl.org.ph and Mary Lou Malig of La Via Campesina marylouisemalig@gmail.com
*The World Social Forum on Migrations is happening in Manila from November 26-30. To participate in those activities, please register at http://www.wsfm2012.org
*There will be a Forum on Fighting Corporate Power on November 24, those who are interested in attending this forum, please contact Josua Mata of the Alliance of Progressive Labor at josua@apl.org.ph
*For a summary report of the discussions in Bangkok, please contact Mary Lou Malig of La Via Campesina at marylouisemalig@gmail.com
ENDORSERS:
Alliance of Progressive Labor, Philippines
All Nepal’s Peasants’ Federation
AKAR (Alliance for People’s Sovereignty)
Aniban ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA)
Anti Debt Coalition (KAU)
Associated Labor Unions (ALU-TUCP)
Assembly of the Poor, Thailand
Asia-Pacific Network on Food Sovereignty (APNFS)
ATTAC Japan
Bangladesh Kishani Sabha
Bangladesh Krishok Federation
Bhartiya Kisan Union, BKU, India
Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI)
Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP)
Confederation of Labor and Allied Social Services (CLASS-TUCP)
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific
Confederation of Independent Unions in the Public Sector (CIU)
DELAPAN
EU-ASEAN FTA Peoples’ Campaign Network
Federation of Filipino Workers (FFW)
Focus on the Global South
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC)
Global Network – Asia Pacific
Indonesian Association for Political Economy (AEPI)
International Domestic Workers Network (IDWN)
Jubilee South-Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, India
KIARA (The Peoples’ Coalition for Fisheries Justice) -Indonesia
Kilusang Maralita sa Kanayunan (KILOS KA)
La Via Campesina
Lembaga Pengembangan Pendidikan dan Komunikasi Popular (Organization for Education Development and Popular Communication)
Makabayan
Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement (MPPM)
Migrant Forum in Asia
MONLAR, Sri Lanka
NAGKAISA
National Confederation of Transportworkers’ Union (NCTU)
National Union of Workers’ in Hotel Restaurant and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN)
NOUMINREN, Japan
Partido ng Manggagawa (PM)
Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association (PIPSEA)
Pinag-isang Tinig at Lakas ng Anakpawis (PIGLAS)
Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
Pusat Kajian dan Solidaritas Timur Tengah (Center for Study and Solidarity for the Middle East
Sentro
Serikat Petani Indonesia (Indonesian Peasant Union)
Serikat Becak Merdeka (SBM, Independent Pedicab Organization)
Serikat Rakyat Pekerja (SRP, Working People’s Union)
Serikat Pekerja Mandiri (SPM, Independent Labour Union)
Sintesa Foundation, Indonesia
Solidarity Workshop, Bangladesh
South Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (SICCFM)
Transnational Institute
Transnational Migrant Platform
Workers’ Solidarity Network (WSN)
World March of Women – Pilipinas
Yayasan Alam Tani
- See more at: http://www.apl.org.ph/?p=1448#sthash.CojyIQ8M.dpuf
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Solidarity message to MPBI from the Philippine largest labor coalition NAGKAISA!
To our brothers and sisters in MPBI,
The largest labor coalition in the Philippines today, the NAGKAISA! write to convey our warmest solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are members of the Presidium Indonesia Workers’ Council (MPBI) in their coalition struggle to bring about the genuine, permanent and lasting change for every working Indonesian.
The NAGKAISA! was greatly inspired by the highly charged collective success of the Indonesian trade union movement in winning social security reforms and minimum wages for millions of struggling Indonesian workers last year.
As the alliance, again, embark on a landmark mobilization beginning today, we join you in spirit and extend our collective hope for your actions to succeed and impact more for the working class.
Terima kasih and more power!
Signed and approved by Convenors of NAGKAISA!
The largest labor coalition in the Philippines today, the NAGKAISA! write to convey our warmest solidarity with our sisters and brothers who are members of the Presidium Indonesia Workers’ Council (MPBI) in their coalition struggle to bring about the genuine, permanent and lasting change for every working Indonesian.
The NAGKAISA! was greatly inspired by the highly charged collective success of the Indonesian trade union movement in winning social security reforms and minimum wages for millions of struggling Indonesian workers last year.
As the alliance, again, embark on a landmark mobilization beginning today, we join you in spirit and extend our collective hope for your actions to succeed and impact more for the working class.
Terima kasih and more power!
Signed and approved by Convenors of NAGKAISA!
Thursday, September 27, 2012
NAGKAISA Will Never Throw-in the Towel on Contractualization and Outsourcing Schemes
Some 1,000 members of the largest coalition of labor unions and workers’ organization called Nagkaisa held a protest rally in Mendiola today to denounce contractualization and outsourcing scheme amid its growing prevalence today to express our continuing opposition against the impunity and rampant practice of contractualization and outsourcing work schemes in the country,” said Rene Magtubo, chairman of Partido Manggagawa.
“We also gather here today to express our solidarity with various other labor federations and workers’ cause-oriented groups in 42 other cities in the world on this Global Day of Action in denouncing the workers’ nemesis also known in private as job contracting, 5-5-5 or “Endo”. In government workers, this is popularly known as job orders,” he added.
It is estimated there are 9 out of ten workers in malls, export processing zones and industrial parks across the country are employed for only five months. The same scheme is imposed by private companies on more than 400,000 work force in call centers and other business process outsourcing companies.
“As we speak, there are about thousands of them about to be laid off following the termination of their individual five month contract or expiration of job orders without any benefits, or bargaining power,” said Alan Tanjusay, advocacy officer of the Associated Labor Unions-TUCP.
“This endless cycle of work flexibilization set in motion by heartless capitalists must be brought to an end. We, members of Nagkaisa, are here today to renew our vow in opposing contractualization or outsourcing—we will never throw in the towel, we will fight it until the end,” he added.
Launched on April, the Nagkaisa is a coalition of 47 major labor centers, federations and workers’ organizations on various modern day anti-labor and anti-worker issues.
Convenors of the NAGKAISA includes AFW, AGLO, AIWA-SENTRO, ALU-TUCP,APL-SENTRO, APSOTEU-TUCP,ATU-TUCP, BMP,CIU,CLASS-TUCP,FCCU-SENTRO,FFW,KAMAGFI, KAMAO-SENTRO, KILUSAN-TUCP, KKKP-TUCP, LIBO-SENTRO, MAKABAYAN, MARINO-SENTRO, NABU-SENTRO, NAFLU, NAMAWU, NCL,NCTU-SENTRO, NUPP-TUCP, NUWHRAIN-SENTRO, PALEA-TUCP, PEUP-SENTRO, PGEA-TUCP, PIGLAS-SENTRO, PILLU-TUCP, PIPSEA-SENTRO, PM, PMA-SENTRO, PSLINK, PTGWO-TUCP, TESDA-ACE,VIMCOMTU-TUCP, WSN-SENTRO.
The group is pushing for the approval of security of tenure bill now pending in the Senate and in the House of Representatives. The bill proposes that a contractual employee can become regular after he/she has rendered six months of duty and become entitled to the privileges of regular employees.
“We also gather here today to express our solidarity with various other labor federations and workers’ cause-oriented groups in 42 other cities in the world on this Global Day of Action in denouncing the workers’ nemesis also known in private as job contracting, 5-5-5 or “Endo”. In government workers, this is popularly known as job orders,” he added.
It is estimated there are 9 out of ten workers in malls, export processing zones and industrial parks across the country are employed for only five months. The same scheme is imposed by private companies on more than 400,000 work force in call centers and other business process outsourcing companies.
“As we speak, there are about thousands of them about to be laid off following the termination of their individual five month contract or expiration of job orders without any benefits, or bargaining power,” said Alan Tanjusay, advocacy officer of the Associated Labor Unions-TUCP.
“This endless cycle of work flexibilization set in motion by heartless capitalists must be brought to an end. We, members of Nagkaisa, are here today to renew our vow in opposing contractualization or outsourcing—we will never throw in the towel, we will fight it until the end,” he added.
Launched on April, the Nagkaisa is a coalition of 47 major labor centers, federations and workers’ organizations on various modern day anti-labor and anti-worker issues.
Convenors of the NAGKAISA includes AFW, AGLO, AIWA-SENTRO, ALU-TUCP,APL-SENTRO, APSOTEU-TUCP,ATU-TUCP, BMP,CIU,CLASS-TUCP,FCCU-SENTRO,FFW,KAMAGFI, KAMAO-SENTRO, KILUSAN-TUCP, KKKP-TUCP, LIBO-SENTRO, MAKABAYAN, MARINO-SENTRO, NABU-SENTRO, NAFLU, NAMAWU, NCL,NCTU-SENTRO, NUPP-TUCP, NUWHRAIN-SENTRO, PALEA-TUCP, PEUP-SENTRO, PGEA-TUCP, PIGLAS-SENTRO, PILLU-TUCP, PIPSEA-SENTRO, PM, PMA-SENTRO, PSLINK, PTGWO-TUCP, TESDA-ACE,VIMCOMTU-TUCP, WSN-SENTRO.
The group is pushing for the approval of security of tenure bill now pending in the Senate and in the House of Representatives. The bill proposes that a contractual employee can become regular after he/she has rendered six months of duty and become entitled to the privileges of regular employees.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Workers rights sold out in Aquino-ADB sweetheart deal
THE NAGKAISA, the broadest coalition of Philippine trade unions, held a lightning rally near the PICC to denounce the full-scale privatization program of Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, dubbed as “Public Private Partnership,” as a complete sell-out of consumer interests and workers’ rights.
NAGKAISA described the ongoing Asian Development Bank conference in PICC, Manila as the final nail on the coffin in which to bury consumers’ protection and workers rights, as Aquino uses the affair as a stage to accelerate the transfer ownership of all remaining power, healthcare and local water assets of the Philippine government to private investors.
Workers belonging to different groups within the coalition waved banners and placards as they attempted to deliver their own messages while Aquino was making his speech before hundreds of foreign delegates.
NAGKAISA linked the ADB privatization agenda and the Administration’s flagship Public Private Partnership to Aquino’s May 1 Labor Day speech, where he practically told workers petitioning for better workers protection, by supporting their security of tenure bill, to drop dead.
He also essentially discredited the pending congressional wage increase proposal by erroneous computation during a Labor Day dialogue that never was.
Aquino even cited cheaper labor in Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, without comparing the cost of living in those countries with that of the Philippines.
NAGKAISA likewise noted that during the power summit in Mindanao last month, Aquino had told the audience that they will now have to pay higher power rates from coal and oil plants, and that the government-owned 850mw Agus-Pulangi plants would be privatized.
He seemed to have ignored the warning of local government officials in Mindanao that selling these assets would the electricity industry cartel to invade and cause dramatic increases in rates in the island.
NAGKAISA called on workers and consumers to resist the Aquino government’s initiatives to privatize the healthcare and local water districts in the country. Like the failed privatization of the National Power Corporation in 2001, which was supported by ADB with a $300 million loan, these efforts would not truly benefit the people.
NAGKAISA denounced the failure of the ADB to fulfill its anti-poverty mandate and reason for continued existence.
NAGKAISA reiterated its demand for security of tenure and decent jobs as the best anti-poverty measure and urged the President to favorably act on the workers’ need for increased wages.
NAGKAISA described the ongoing Asian Development Bank conference in PICC, Manila as the final nail on the coffin in which to bury consumers’ protection and workers rights, as Aquino uses the affair as a stage to accelerate the transfer ownership of all remaining power, healthcare and local water assets of the Philippine government to private investors.
Workers belonging to different groups within the coalition waved banners and placards as they attempted to deliver their own messages while Aquino was making his speech before hundreds of foreign delegates.
NAGKAISA linked the ADB privatization agenda and the Administration’s flagship Public Private Partnership to Aquino’s May 1 Labor Day speech, where he practically told workers petitioning for better workers protection, by supporting their security of tenure bill, to drop dead.
He also essentially discredited the pending congressional wage increase proposal by erroneous computation during a Labor Day dialogue that never was.
Aquino even cited cheaper labor in Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, without comparing the cost of living in those countries with that of the Philippines.
NAGKAISA said that Aquino clearly doesn’t see that increasing the purchasing power of workers thru wage adjustments as a way of raising consumption, as a means of pump priming the economy. Aquino in effect supports a race-to-the-bottom in the name of building Philippine competitiveness by artificially keeping workers salaries’ low.
NAGKAISA likewise noted that during the power summit in Mindanao last month, Aquino had told the audience that they will now have to pay higher power rates from coal and oil plants, and that the government-owned 850mw Agus-Pulangi plants would be privatized.
He seemed to have ignored the warning of local government officials in Mindanao that selling these assets would the electricity industry cartel to invade and cause dramatic increases in rates in the island.
NAGKAISA called on workers and consumers to resist the Aquino government’s initiatives to privatize the healthcare and local water districts in the country. Like the failed privatization of the National Power Corporation in 2001, which was supported by ADB with a $300 million loan, these efforts would not truly benefit the people.
NAGKAISA denounced the failure of the ADB to fulfill its anti-poverty mandate and reason for continued existence.
NAGKAISA reiterated its demand for security of tenure and decent jobs as the best anti-poverty measure and urged the President to favorably act on the workers’ need for increased wages.
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