Read this article in:
English
9 October, 2012Trade union leaders from IndustriALL’s 17 affiliates in the Philippines agreed on a new framework that they believe will bring about a change for workers.
The framework includes a solidarity statement to build unity among the unions and also an action plan that will see the unions work cooperatively and strategically in building a common platform under the principles and polices of IndustriALL Global Union.
The leaders developed the solidarity statement at a leadership forum in Manila. The statement is a signal of intent by the unions in order to build IndustriALL Philippines. It’s purpose is to make IndustriALL a force for change and to develop new mechanisms for working together.
The statement includes a commitment to work together to build solidarity on an ongoing basis among the unions. In order to enhance the union’s ability to act together to build a strong national approach that, in a democratic relationship with workers, is capable of achieving real gains.
Glenn Thompson, Assistant National Secretary of Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said the first meeting of IndustriALL in the Philippines was about encouraging 17 affiliates engaged in solidarity activities to identify key issues facing workers in the Philippines. The agreement and signing of the solidarity statement was a great step forward. This is a positive development and platform to build a strong workers’ movement in the Philippines.
Through a series of working groups the leaders also identified four areas that will form the basis of an action plan. These areas include organizing and growth. The Philippines has a workforce of 40 million of which 15 per cent work in the manufacturing sector. Less than 10 per cent of these workers are unionized.
Unions are also concerned about a drop in manufacturing employment as a result of the global financial crisis. A situation made worse for workers as only 10 per cent of the organized workers have a collective bargaining agreement. In the new plan the unions will work closely together to organize more workers and achieve more collective bargaining agreements.
Contractualization and outsourcing is also a major problem in the Philippines and the unions will develop strategies to address this challenge. In particular the unions will support IndustriALL’s planned day of action on precarious work through different events. Many employers in the Philippines exploit weak laws and lack of enforcement to keep employees as precarious workers.
Public policy and the legal framework in the Philippines make it difficult for the unions to organize workers. A lack of enforcement also presents further barriers to union activities. The leaders committed to work together to raise public awareness of union activities and also to influence relevant laws that are being developed.
Rob Johnston, Executive Director of IndustriALL, concluded the forum saying “IndustriALL Philippines will be a force tor change our unions are determined the leadership is committed now we have to realize our goals.”