PH labor coalition wants fair treatment of POGO workers of other nationals

As a sending country of migrant workers that demands fair and equal treatment of our OFWs from their host States, the Philippines is required to apply the same principle with respect to the rights of migrant workers of other nationals received into the country by legal means or otherwise.

This is according to the Philippines’ biggest labor coalition Nagkaisa, in response to reports that a ‘humanitarian crisis’ looms as the government considers executing summary deportations against thousands of POGO workers, mostly Chinese, for violating immigration and other national laws. 

“For decades we continue to confront this same humanitarian crisis, in fact of bigger magnitude than this one, as we handle complex crises involving our distressed OFWs who were denied equal protection by their host countries. We therefore cannot deny other nationals of the same principles that we ourselves demand from other States,” said Nagkaisa Chair Sonny Matula.  

Matula pointed out further that as signatory to UN conventions, the Philippine State has the obligation to extend not only non-discriminatory policies but most importantly, immediate protection and support for workers of other nationals.   

Specifically, the Philippines ratified the Migration for Employment Convention (ILC 49) in 2009. The Bureau of Immigration is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the legislation relating to immigration, citizenship and admission and registration of foreigners in accordance with the Immigration Act. 

However, Matula explained, the DOLE needs to share responsibility as it is in charged with the registration and issuance of work permit to regulate the employment of foreigners (section 15(a)(4) of the Labor Code).

“To us in the labor movement, the most important aspect of that protection aside from due process is by not criminalizing the victims for in many cases, migrant workers end up victims to onerous labor contracts if not outright trafficking by criminal organizations,” said Matula. 

The group said many things have already been said about the legal and illegal POGO operations in the country and the only conclusion we can draw up from those investigations is the lack of policy coherence to govern the conduct of this new industry, or the lack of it was made arbitrary for a billion black market business to triumph for the benefit of corrupt government officials and human traffickers, especially during the previous administration.

“It appears that most of the POGO workers are victims of trafficking. The government must act as a good Samaritan who helps and rescues distressed workers found in our territory and provide them opportunity to recover rather than thrash them in our detention centers while summary proceedings for deportation are on-going,” added Matula.  

Finally, Nagkaisa is urging concerned agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), to formulate a coherent policy on this issue and to involve labor organizations and migrant groups in that policymaking process.

NAGKAISA Joins call to Free Senator De Lima

The NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition supports a Senate resolution that seeks the release of former Senator Leila de Lima from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center.

It is timely and appropriate in this time of transition to emphasize the commitment to uphold the rule of law and uphold human rights  

When at least three (3) witnesses recant their testimonies outside or in court, this is a red flag or casts doubt on the strength of the finding of probable cause on the charges against Sen. De Lima. 

Though the new Secretary of Justice may not be the right  person authorized to order her release as the courts have already acquired jurisdiction over the informations filed, he can recommend the dismissal or move for the withdrawal of these cases subject to the evaluation and discretion of the judges handling them.

Nagkaisa prays for the DOJ to reconsider its earlier pronouncement not to drop the cases.  

Not only to save time and money of the government in pursuing baseless charges, the Labor group also emphasizes that it is the duty of DOJ prosecutors, in fact, to weed trumped up charges, search for the truth, assist the court to TC arrive at nothing but the truth, to clear the innocent and to restore justice among the community, the victim and the accused according to the law and the dictates of reason as well as conscience.

Lastly, the biggest labor coalition of the country also calls on the president to "preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man (or woman)" by taking action to stop the perpetuation of an injustice done to a former senator or any citizen of the republic. 

We should never allow racist policies anywhere, Nagkaisa tells PH consulate in Macau

The NAGKAISA labor coalition raises grave concern over the failure of the Philippine consulate in Macau to defend our nationals against a discriminatory policy where Filipino migrants and other nationals are subjected to daily Covid-19 testing.

The group echoed the migrants’ complaints that instead of raising issues against such policy, the PH consulate in Macau SAR rather accuses the migrant groups of “politicizing” the issue which it considered as simply a routine health protocol.  

“Targeting a specific or several nationalities for daily testing clearly sounds racist to us. In the first place, shouldn’t our consulate ask the question why single out a specific nationality?  We therefore call on our Consul General in Macau to do his job and help push back this racist policy whether it is directed against Filipinos or other nationalities,” said the group in a statement.

Racial discrimination, Nagkaisa maintained, is abhorrent to the concept of equality of all women and men.  The very first article of the UN Declaration of Human Rights states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

The group also called on the DFA to look into this matter and find out whether a bilateral talk between the Philippines and Macau can straighten out this issue. 

SO Pano NA? - NAGKAISA Labor Coalition Statement on the First State of the Nation of Address of the Marcos Jr. Administration

Filipinos deserve working systems, especially in times of crises. Each and every family should not have to worry about their commute, how to afford basic necessities, healthcare, and quality education. Our government not only has the resources, but is morally and politically responsible to ensure that all Filipinos enjoy a dignified, secure life. States that cannot guarantee a decent life for their citizens quickly lose the legitimacy for their power.

The NAGKAISA Labor Coalition calls on the Marcos Jr. administration to respond to the multiple crises we Filipinos are facing with urgency and seriousness. More than two months since the 2022 national elections, Filipino workers need answers for our pressing needs, not just empty promises of “unity”.

With soaring inflation, high gas prices, and the persistent threat of Covid-19, we cannot afford a government that is not decisive, or at the very least clear about what it plans to do. NAGKAISA challenges Marcos Jr. to be faithful to his call for Filipinos to unite. Rather than a blind unity that is based on loyalty to a politician, we workers understand unity as bayanihan, the cooperation of Filipinos with each other towards a common goal.

However, it is impossible for us to unite if the working people are not included in decision-making processes. We cannot work together based on empty words and silence. The government must allow the labor and progressive movements to be involved in making the decisions, setting the policies, and identifying ways forward to collectively overcome our present situation. The people’s question is simple, if Marcos Jr. is quiet, if the public is not informed of the government’s plans, thenano na?

To this end, NAGKAISA demands concrete plans from the administration of Marcos Jr. to respond to the multiple crises working people face.We call on his government to respond to our demands and act on our recommendations. Our proposals include the revisiting of the oil deregulation law to curb oil prices, adequate support for frontliners, service contracting for transport workers, as well as a public jobs program, among others.