KMU files complaint vs Duterte before ILO

A LABOR GROUP is calling on the International Labor Organization (ILO) to file a case against President Rodrigo R. Duterte for violating civil and labor rights.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it has written a letter to the labor arm of the United Nations (UN) stating that “trade union rights and civil liberties of Filipino workers and trade union activists were severely abused and violated” under the Duterte administration.
KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog said, “The Philippine government is violating workers’ freedom of association and the right to organize, through red-tagging, vilification, threats and harassment; the illegal arrest and detention of trade union organizations and trade union leaders(…)and even encouraging violent attacks against strikes and workers’ picketlines.”
“Workers are now seeking dialogues with international institutions,” the KMU chair added.
KMU said it attached in its letter a complaint stating that the Philippine government is violating ILO labor standards, specifically ILO Convention 87 Freedom of Association and Right to Organize and ILO Convention 98 Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining.
“Unionists are not terrorists. Organizing workers into union, bargaining collectively, and holding strikes are rights enshrined in the Philippine Constitution and in international conventions,” Mr. Labog said. — G.M. Cortez