On the World Day for Decent Work, we condemn the ongoing attacks against trade unionists and labor organizers. The Philippines remains a perilous environment for those advocating for workers’ rights, where killings, abductions, and harassment continue unabated, including women labor leaders and organizers.
According to the 2024 Global Rights Index of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the threat of violence persists against Filipino workers and unions, where there is “no guarantee of rights” and are “exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labor practices”.
The red-tagging and intimidation faced by the leaders of the Nexperia workers’ union illustrate this situation. For years, union leaders have been subjected to relentless surveillance and harassment, with union president Mary Ann Castillo among those targeted. Nexperia workers union has been organizing workers and fighting against unfair labor practices, and union-busting.
In 2021, Teresa Dioquino, a cultural worker and labor advocate, was illegally arrested, and is currently imprisoned. Dioquino is a staunch activist and has long served as International Officer of the Kilusang Mayo Uno, fighting for global workers’ rights. On May 3, 2022, Loi Magbanua, a labor organizer and women’s rights activist, was abducted and remains missing, presumed taken by state forces.
These forms of persecution demonstrate a concerted effort to stifle dissent and suppress workers’ rights. The enactment of the Anti-Terror Law and continuing funding of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has made it all worse.
As we mark this day, we stand together in solidarity to protect and defend those who fight for decent work – against exploitative practices, for living wages and labor rights. We enjoin all Filipinos in the collective fight to ensure that every worker can speak out without fear and threat of violence. No decent work without freedom of association and the right to organize!
