PR - BMP deplores gov't inability to stop contractualization

PRESS RELEASE

December 22, 2010

MILITANT LABOR GROUP DEPLORES THE GOVERNMENT INABILITY TO STOP CONTRACTUALIZATION

Accredited as the most militant labor group in 2010 as recorded in the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment data, BMP (Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino) is geared for a challenging year in 2011. The group in a press conference called on the Aquino government to fulfill its promise to provide protection for the Filipino workers.

“The recent intervention of the Aquino administration on the issue of Philippine Airlines is a welcome move. But the solution should go beyond the labor dispute but should be taken as a test case to review the policies which the government is inclined to promote. The problem of rampant of contractualization must be seriously addressed by the Aquino government. Long before the PAL issue, numerous cases of contractualization employed by most companies are already wreaking havoc on the lives of Filipino workers.” Mr. Leody De Guzman, BMP President explained.

The likes of Gokongwei, Henry Sy, and many other big capitalists are in the same mold of Lucio Tan whose main concern is to streamline its business operations to cut cost and thereby sacrificing the benefits and welfare of the workers. The labor sector has been confronted by this problem even from the previous administration but ironically being pursued and sustained by the Aquino government.

“We will not stop engaging the workers in various forms of struggles to put an end to the vicious cycle of contractualization. We have proven as provided for by this years’ data on strike that the workers are no longer apathetic but defiant of what they are experiencing and the broad labor is gaining grounds to foster strength and unity to fight contractualization.” Ronnie Luna, BMP Executive Vice President further elaborated.

The group has lined various activities as part of their comprehensive caqmapaign and engagement to the Aquino government on the issue of contractualization. The group is set join the PALEA workers sponsored “Harana sa Mendiola” tomorrow at 10am. In the coming days, the group will also launch massive leafleting and related activities to kick off their various concrete and specific issues involving the evils of contractualization. (30)