Bello rejects ITUC claims of trade union deaths

LABOR Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III disputed the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) finding that the Philippines oppresses labor organizations.

In its Global Rights Index 2019 published last month, ITUC gave the Philippines a score of 5, signifying that the country gives no priority to the rights of workers. The Index’s ratings are 1 for “Sporadic violations of rights”; 2 for “Repeated violations of rights; 3 for “Regular violations of rights”; 4 for “Systematic violations of rights”; 5 for “No guarantee of rights” and 5+ for “No guarantee of rights due to breakdown of the rule of law.”

In a statement Wednesday, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) cited the Global Rights Index 2019 findings and urged the government to take action in protecting workers.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Mr. Bello said that the number of actual killings of trade union leaders or members is less than claimed.

“I take strong exception to the claim of this International Trade Union Confederation. Kasi unang-una (first of all), if you look at the statistics, from 2003 to 2016 the recorded killings of labor union members and officers is about 60 plus. But under the term of President Rodrigo R. Duterte… Only four have been killed or subject to frustrated homicide. Those are the only recorded killings of labor union members or officers,” he said.

“I challenge them to give me one name out of the 43 cases na sinasabi nila (they are claiming). We have been asking that… Name the place where he or she was killed. When was he killed. Why was he killed? Wala (Nothing). Obvious na illusory and imaginary itong ginagawa nila (It’s obvious that their findings are illusory and imaginary). I don’t know what their intentions are but I really take exception,” he added.

Mr. Bello said that the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) is doing all it can to fulfill its mandate to safeguard Filipino workers. He added that the department also needs more manpower to conduct further inspections of establishments to detect labor violations. Additional inspectors will be provided through the Department of Justice (DoJ), Department of Finance (DoF), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“That is why were advocating for additional labor law compliance officers. I am sounding like an old record. We only have 800 inspectors and we are inspecting over 900,000 business establishments… Do you expect one inspector to inspect 1,000 in one year? Almost impossible but fortunately with the help of DTI, DoF, and DoJ I think we will be given additional labor law compliance officers of about 5,000,” he said. — Gillian M. Cortez