An Appeal to the Joint Convention of the Association of the Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines July, 2009

To our beloved religious superiors,

We are an organization of wives and families of workers and labor leaders killed extra-judicially, trade unionists, human rights workers and labour advocates  who come together to share with you our continuing quest for justice and struggle to save our jobs and improve our condition.  We knock on your hearts and minds to remember the workers and their families in your prayers and programs that this Convention may chart.

Today, July 3, 300 workers, 85% are women, permanently lost their jobs when Panphil, a garment company producing Hillfiger branded shirts inside Mactan Export Processing Zone, suddenly decided to close down leaving them scampering for support.  Two days before that,1,606 workers (87% are women) also found themselves jobless as Triumph International, one of the world’s biggest manufacturer of undergarments chose to shut down operations in Taguig city, Metro Manila and only maintain factories that employ young, non-unionized,  low-paid  and contract workers in Thailand.  All these workers worked the company for 5-30 years (Triumph), without knowing other jobs other than the factories they loyally served.

Not only Triumph and Panphil workers were deprived of livelihood, they joined the more than 50,000 workers who were retrenched since September last year due to global financial crisis   Yes, the crisis which is not the poor’s creation is creating havoc on the poor particularly the workers’ lives.  Where land is the source of life and livelihood to the peasants, jobs are to the workers. This crisis and the persistent inability of the local economy to generate jobs at home are depriving not just the livelihood but life itself of the workers.

On the other hand, those who are able to have jobs are forced to work longer beyond their physical ability, so the company can save cost in a reduced work-week.  Workers tired bodies are consoled by the thought that working long hours can augment their income and perhaps weaken their nagging fear of losing heir jobs anytime.  The unions that are supposed to help them are shrinking because the labor laws and policies stunted their growth whilst the leaders are arrested, abducted, treated like criminals and even killed.

Families of workers who were killed since 2001 that has reached 90 to date have not given justice until now. Families of slain leaders like Diosdado Fortuna, Gerry Cristobal, Tirso Cruz, to name a few continue to cry for justice.   In our agonies, desperation, we groped and trying to find strength amongst ourselves, families who were untimely left by our loved ones together with other women displaced from jobs and advocates who tirelessly accompany us.  

The situation of children whose father was abducted and forcibly disappeared is more painful and disturbing.  The four children of Rogelio Concepcion -- acting union president in Solid Enterprises,  who was abducted and forcibly disappeared on March 6,2007 in San Ildefonso, Bulacan—continue to hope that one day, their father will arrive at their doorsteps and hug them tightly.  

Our religious superiors, we and the Filipino workers are in the most difficult times. Our jobs are cut, wages and benefits are reduced, our struggle to improve our lot is suppressed, and society looks down upon us, we feel that the world is conspiring against us.  We had made some materials to inform the public of our situation which we have included together with this appeal.

Thus, we appeal to you. Please do not forget the workers and their families in your prayers and programs that you may chart.  While we are strengthened by our faith, we know that we will find the courage to go on if you are there.  Count us too, if in our humble ways, you think we can be of help to you and to the church.  

Thank you and we wish you success!


 
Signed:

Women WISE³ or Women Workers in Struggle for Employment, Empowerment and Emancipation, Quezon city


1. LUZVIMINDA FORTUNA
Spokesperson,
Wife of slain Nestle workers union leader, Diosdado Fortuna

2. NORALYN CRISTOBAL
Wife of slain labor leader, Gerry Cristobal

3. MARISSA CONCEPCION
Wife of forcibly disappeared leader, Rogelio Concepcion

4. MERLY GRAFE
Displaced worker and leader, Philsjoen Garments, Cavite

5. RIZA ADIATON
Displaced worker and leader, Hanjin Garments, Laguna

5. DAISY S. ARAGO
   Executive Director
  Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR)