Vol. 3 No.4

Vol.3 No. 4 A publication of the Substantial Democracy Project Federation of Free Workers

PETITION FILED BEFORE NCR WAGE BOARD FFW, LSM push for 77-peso daily across-the-board wage increase

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) along with other labor organizations comprising the Labor Solidarity Movement (LSM) have filed before the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of the National Capital Region a joint petition calling for a Why pesos daily across-the-board wage increase of P77 in Metro Manila. 77

The considerable increases in of FFW-LACC, Mr. Daniel Edralin From January 1991—when the mini- prices and corresponding reduction in of APL and Mr. Democrito Mendoza mum wage was pegged at P118—to the workers’ purchasing power prompted of TUCP as signatories. end of 2001, according to FFW-LSM the the petitioners to ask for a salary hike. Living wage Consumer Price Index (CPI) would have Filing the petition are labor “This (petition for a 77- increased 2.44 times. Thus, multiplying centers Labor Advisory peso hike) is considerably low the minimum wage rate of January 1991 Consultative Council compared to the 125-peso leg- to the number of times the CPI shall have islated wage (LACC), of which FFW increased by the end of 2001, will yield: is a member, increase being P118 (minimum wage rate in 1991) Trade Union espoused by Congress of the the Kilusang X 2.44 (CPI increase from 1991-2001) Philippines Mayo Uno P288 (TUCP) and Al- (KMU),” said Therefore, to keep up with the prices, liance of Pro- FFW President workers need P38 more since the present gressive Labor Ramon Jabar. minimum wage rate is P250: (APL). He explained P288 (amt needed to keep up with Since the last legislated mini- that the in- prices) mum wage was set at P89 nationwide crease being - 250 (current minimum wage) in 1989 through RA 6727, wage in- proposed by FFW and P 38 (increase necessitated by creases have paled in comparison to LSM is not even enough to bring up the general increase in prices. Bro- wages to the level of “living wages” escalating prices) ken down, the amount of P77 repre- mandated by the Constitution. Workers also need to improve their stan- sents P38 necessitated by escalating The petitioners believe the dard of living. Since they have done their prices and another P39 from workers’ economy will suffer should they ask share in economic development, they share of the growth in the region. (see for the full adjustment for living wages rightfully deserve a piece of the regional computation at the right) at this time. “Whether employers are growth, which averaged 3.3 per cent an- The joint petition was filed on amenable (to the 77-peso proposal) nually from P220,972 in 1991 to P279,045 26 July 2001 with Mr. Ramon Jabar remains to be seen,” he continued. 1 Free Workers

Emergency Cost of Living are not adverse to the concept of leg- Other regions file their petitions Allowance, non-wage proposals islated wage adjustments but we are Petitions for across-the-board Deliberations of the Regional only emphasizing the urgency of any wage increases have also been filed Wage Boards as in the past, have taken grant, whether it is from the Regional by FFW and LSM in other regions. a long time. Anticipating this, FFW Wage Boards or from Congress.” These include Region 7 in Cebu, in has proposed that a 50-peso Emer- It will take long before any Iloilo and Panay Island; Region 4; gency Cost of Living Allowance legislation on an increase in wages Region 6; Region 3 and Region 2. (ECOLA) be granted by employers could be passed by both houses of Specific rates of pay hikes while awaiting the RTWPB’s wage Congress. We see that a legislated being pushed for vary—with the high- order. Workers, in dire need of meet- wage increase nationwide, no matter est pegged at P90 across-the-board in ing the basic needs of their families what amount it will be, will only come Region 6, and the lowest at around will be able to do so, even if only par- in 2002, the earliest. P60 in Region 2. tially, with the help of the ECOLA. “We need something for the Inefficient Wage Boards The President echoed this sentiment workers to stand on for this year,” they The Wage Rationalization in her State of the Nation Address. affirmed. Act (RA 6727), enacted into law by To entice employers to accede Employers Confederation of Congress in June 1989 created and to it, workers’ groups explained that the Philippines Director-General mandated RTWPBs to determine and it may eventually be credited to any Vicente Leogardo, Jr. adamantly ob- fix minimum wages and adjust salary increase in wages that would be or- jects to a 125-peso legislated wage rates in all regions. Workers have a dered by the RTWPBs or enacted by increase. “It will wipe out the export consensus that their performance over the past 12 years is wanting. in 1999. Based on the minimum wage of 1991 once more, we compute the “In the medium term and the following: long term, we are for a total review of P118 (minimum wage rate in 1991) the wage determination system in the X (0.033 x 10) (annual regional growth rate) Philippines,” narrates Mr. Oliveros. P 39 (increase due to region’s economic development) “Along that line, we are amenable to Adding the needed wage increment to restore the purchasing power the position that regional wage boards of workers and give them a share of the region’s real economic devel- have to be abolished to put in place opment, we have: an industry bargaining mechanism, an P38 (increase necessitated by escalating prices) enterprise-based mechanism already + 39 (increase due to region’s economic development) in effect, and a national minimum P77 (required daily across-the-board wage increase) wage setting,” he clarifies. The same view is expressed Congress by means of a legislated sector since additional labor costs to by Mr. Jabar. “We are for its aboli- wage increase, in the future. existing forward contracts will cause tion!” He goes on to say that the most Simultaneously, the FFW severe financial losses and closures,” effective way of determining the mini- also proposes non-wage benefits. he claimed, before a House Commit- mum wage is through collective bar- FFW leader and Development Bank tee on Labor and Employment meet- gaining. “Workers must organize into of the Philippines Director Floro ing. He also warned of double-digit unions, where they can bargain for Oliveros says that these include “ad- inflation alleging that labor’s compu- wages and better terms of employ- ditional tax exemptions; improved tations for wage increases were not ment,” he said. benefits derived from the Social Se- productivity based. Composing the Regional curity System, Government Service There are actually four wage Wage Boards are the Regional Direc- Insurance System and Home Devel- related bills pending at the House of tor of the Department of Labor and opment Mutual Fund, including so- Representatives, most prominent of Employment (DOLE) as Chairman; cialized housing; and a moratorium on which is House Bill 2605 legislating Regional Directors of the National increases in the costs of basic utili- a daily across-the-board wage in- Economic and Development Author- ties, fares and basic services.” crease of P125 nationwide filed by ity (NEDA) and Department of Trade On a legislated wage increase Bayan Muna Party List Representa- Industry as Vice Chairs; and two Noting FFW’s apparent si- tives Hon. Crispin Beltran, KMU members each from the labor and em- lence on a legislated wage increase, leader, Hon. Liza Maza and Hon. ployers sectors, who are Presidential leaders of the FFW qualified that “we Satur Ocampo. appointees. 2 Vol. 3 No.4

Wage related Bills pending at the House While FFW and LSM have filed several petitions for an across-the-board wage increase with the different Regional Wage Boards throughout the country, these groups are not adverse to the idea of obtaining the desired increase in workers’ pay through legislation. Below is a list of pending bills at the House of Representatives being discussed at the committee level, seeking to increase workers daily take through wage and non-wage benefits and creating an alternative wage determination system.

HB 1377 – “An Act Providing for a wage equivalent to the cost of liv- Ocampo Living Wage to Employees and ing of an average Filipino family, Salient Features: Workers in the Public and Private as determined by the National Sta- · Granting of a P125 daily across-the- Sectors, Establishing the Mechanism tistics Office and the Commission on board wage increase to all employ- and Proper Standards Therefor, Re- Population; ees in the private, agricultural and pealing Republic Act Numbered ·Tasking the National Economic De- non-agricultural sectors; 6727, Appropriating Funds There- velopment Authority and the Depart- · Tasking the Department of Labor for, and for other Purposes” by Hon. ment of Finance to determine the and Employment to monitor compli- Krisel Lagman-Luistro family living wage using the classi- ance of the wage increase by com- Salient Features: fication standard of cities/ munici- panies/ businesses; ·Granting of a living wage equiva- palities; · Imposing fines of P25,000 to lent to the cost of living for a fam- ·Exempting regular public and pri- P100,000 and/ or imprisonment of ily of six pegged at P500.00 a day vate sector wage earners from pay- two to four years for violators, and for full-time employees and work- ing annual withholding income tax; their payment of an amount equiva- ers in the public and private agri- ·Implementing a productivity and in- lent to double the unpaid benefits cultural and non-agricultural sec- centives performance program that owed to employees. tors; shall grant businesses special deduc- HB 2623 – “An Act Granting P125 ·Price regulation by the state and ex- tions from gross income equivalent Daily Across-the-Board in Wages of emption for those receiving less than to ten per cent of the total produc- Filipino Workers Nationwide” by the living wage from paying with- tivity bonuses given to employees Hon. Rolex Suplicio, Hon. Augusto holding and value-added taxes and apart from the provisions of the Syjuco, Hon. Constantino Jaraula contributions to the Government National Internal Revenue Code; and Hon. Carlos Padilla Service Insurance System and So- ·Abolition of the Regional Wage Sole Feature: cial Security System; Boards, and its place create the Na- •Granting of a P125 daily across-the- ·Creation of a Living Wage Commis- tional Living Wage Commission, board wage increase to all Filipino sion, attached to the Department of attached to the Department of La- workers in view of the ris- Labor and Employment, that shall bor and Employment, that shall form ing costs of living form policies and coordinate pro- policies and guidelines on family liv- in the country. grams relating to living wages, in- ing wages, incomes and productiv- come and productivity; ity improvement; REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ·Imposing fines of P20,000 to ·Imposing fines of P50,000 to Department of Labor and Employment P100,000 and/ or imprisonment of P100,000 and/ or impris- National WagesNational and Productivity CapitalManila Region Commission six months to one year for violators. onment of six Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board HB 2370 – “An Act Institutionaliz- months to one year ing a Mechanism for the Implemen- for violators. JOINT PETITION FOR WAGE INCREASE OF P 77 DAILY tation of the Constitutional Rights HB 2605 – “An Act Pro- AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION of Workers to a Living Wage, Es- viding for a P125 Daily tablishing the National Living Wage Across-the-Board In- In Re: Commission, Appropriating Funds crease in the Wage and Trade Union Congress of the Philppines (TUCP) Therefor, and for other Purposes” by Salary Rates of Employ- Labor Advisory Consultative Council (LACC) Hon. Roseller L. Barinaga ees and Workers in the Private Alliance of Progressive Labor (ALP) Salient Features: Sector and for other Purposes” Collectively known as the Labor Solidarity Movement (LSM) ·Entitling workers in the public and by Hon. Crispin Beltran, Hon. x------x private sectors to a family living Liza Maza and Hon. Satur JOINT PETITIONPetitioners Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Labor Advisory Consultative 3 Council (LACC) and the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), collectively known as the Labor Solidarity Movement1. Petitioners (LSM), are by duly all the registered undersigned, labor toorganizations this Honorable operating Board mostunder respectfully laws of the state:

Philippines with affiliated federations whose different locals and chapters are composed of individual workers and employees2. In June engaged 1989, Congress in all types passed and sorts the Wageof commercial Rationalization and industrial Act (R.A. activities 6727) and mandating endeavors across the width and breadth of the Archipelago;

the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs), moto propio or through petitions, to determine and fix minimum wages and to undertake studies and researches and surveys necessary to the attainment of their functions and objectives. Considerable increases in Free Workers Editorial Workers could barely make ends meet as prices of basic commodities continue to skyrocket. And yet government, through the institutions tasked to effect the necessary adjustments in workers’ wages to augment the family income, are sitting in their laurels or working at a snail’s pace at best.

Increase wages The Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region is a case in point. The Wage Rationalization Act (RA 6727) mandates RTWPBs to effect wage to humane increases. Despite several petitions for pay hikes already filed before it, including the 77-peso across-the-board wage increase proposed by the FFW and Labor Solidarity Movement (LSM), it & has not gone beyond meager consultations. decent levels To this date, official deliberation processes on the petition have yet to commence. Mere bureaucratic consultations being conducted now, are further delaying the hearings on the petitions. The NCR wage board is following last year’s lead when it took four months to deliberate on the P26.50 increase in minimum wages. or bear The longer it takes for the formal hearings to start, the longer workers would have to endure before they could bolster their capacity to purchase basic necessities and commodities and avail the wrath of essential services.

What could be hindering the RTWPB from acting immediately is its of the poor wrong notion that it could not grant an increase at this point, or until one year has lapsed since its last wage order. They should be told that the ‘required’ one-year gap is but a policy guideline once again issued by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), which has no bearing in law.

The wage board should at least show compassion and sensitivity to the plight of wage earners and consider them more important Daily Cost of Living for than a few bureaucratic impediments. No less than the President of the Republic and the Secretary of Labor, not to mention a a Family of Six (PHP) handful of legislators have expressed the need to raise wages. 500 Meanwhile, already on top of the agenda of 400 several hearings by the Committee on Labor and Employment are discussions on four bills 300 that seek to, among others, legislate an across- the-board wage increase of 125 pesos 200 nationwide; institutionalize a family living wage; provide tax relief for underpaid workers and 100 exempt them from giving contributions to the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System; and, establish a 1998 1999 2000 2001 (July) National Living Wage Commission abolishing Ibon computation based on NSO data Philippines NCR Regional Wage Boards. 4 Vol. 3 No.4

Without waiting for the conclusions of these hearings, this early, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has shot down the proposed across-the-board nationwide pay hike, noting that the RTWPB is still the venue for such increments. She is supportive, though of a wage Comparativeminimum wages increase based on a specific industry. The House leadership is also in selected Asian countries opposed to a legislated increase. (US$) 10 Workers need an immediate relief but there seems to be no help on 8 the horizon. By the estimates of FFW leaders the earliest a 6 legislated wage increase could 4 take effect is next year. Coupled with the delay in the wage boards’ 2 processes, workers are being forced to tighten their belts even Vietnam Beijing Jakarta Manila Bangkok Malaysia S. Korea Singapore more at a time when the country Vietnam Beijing Jakarta Manila Bangkok Malaysia S.Korea Singapore is still recovering from the impact of the 1997 turmoil and is contending with political crises. Respective countries’ website, National Wages and Productivity Commission That is why the wisdom of the President of the Republic in asking employers to grant an emergency cost of living allowance for workers nationwide, articulating it even during her first State of the Nation Address, is laudable. However, unlike a wage order or a new law, which employers have to submit to, the President’s mere request could easily be set aside by firm owners.

Workers urgently need something to stand on right now, be it a wage order, a new legislation, an executive order, a new policy or an emergency allowance, as long as it would be granted very soon.

It’s about time government realizes there are more important things it should be concerned with other than engaging in headline-hogging political squabbles, like ensuring workers are able to put food on their Estimated Family Living table and are able to provide their families’ basic needs. Wage per day (PHP) Should it fail to recognize it or fail to act swiftly and neglect the workers’ 1999, 2000 and 2001 (July) plea for humane and decent wages, poor 600 people will vent their ire on government institutions that let them 500 down, triggering a social upheaval that has the 400 potential of being far more damaging than the May 1 siege of 300 Malacañang. 200 A scary thought indeed… NCR CAR R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 ARMM 1999 2000 2001 National Wages and Productivity Commission 5 Free Workers

Picture former FFW National Vice President From labor activist... (NVP) Floro Oliveros during the height of political unrest leading to the ouster of ex-President Joseph Estrada. The image that comes to mind is a devoted labor activist clad in a comfortable shirt, worn jeans and running shoes. His voice is almost hoarse from a lot of speaking engage- ments and protest actions discussing the evils of the Erap Presidency. Now, think of him as a bank executive—re- served, formal, wearing designer suits, expensive ties and elegant shoes, speaking clearly and calmly during the board meetings of the Develop- ment Bank of the Philippines… See any difference? No matter how we put it, he’s still the devoted labor activist, only this time I SWEAR. he is treading new waters in the banking industry, DBP CEO trying hard to represent the ordinary Filipino as and President Remedios Director of the Board of the Development Bank of Macalincag administers the the Philippines (DBP), which according to him is oath-of-office of Dir. Floro the Filipino people’s bank. Oliveros to bank exec “I have to work hard to learn the basics of being Board Director at the DBP would not private companies’ loan applications and re- banking and finance so that I can well repre- make him relinquish his responsibilities in structuring of loans. “I think of how best the sent the interest and welfare of the Filipino the labor sector and civil society. Or so he workers’ interests in these companies would People’s bank. This is a people’s bank,” he thought! be protected,” he divulges. He also sits in the asserts. When he realized that he had great re- Trust Committee. Ka Roy believes that the interests of the sponsibilities at the DBP, one by one, he re- He will soon assume the Chairmanship citizens, the real owners of the bank, should linquished his positions at the FFW. He gave of the Provident Fund for his extensive expe- be promoted by ensuring the viability, profit- up being Executive Director of the Philip- rience in Mutual Funds owing to stints at the ability as well as where to secure the funds pine Social Institute (PSI) and planned to run Employees Compensation Commission that have been built through the years since for reelection as NVP during the 21st Na- (ECC) and Home Develpment Mutual Fund its formation. tional Convention of the Federation. He had (HDMF). DBP appointment to give that up as well. Career Roadmap “When we were campaigning for the “The decision of Roy Oliveros not to run Ka Roy is a career trade union organizer ouster of Erap, it never hit my mind and those for NVP of the FFW is a sacrifice on his part,” and leader of the Federation. “This would of the leaders in civil society groups… that analyzes FFW President Ramon J. Jabar. be my 26th year in the labor movement,” he the campaign to push for good governance “I would like to state very proudly that reveals. Fr. Archie Intengan, S.J., who was will require our participation directly,” ad- during the period he was Vice President, he working with the Young Free Workers mits Ka Roy. helped the FFW a lot, not only in terms of (YFW) in 1976, recruited him directly from “President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was collective bargaining but representation in college. enjoining our participation directly in han- other bodies, including participation of the A former seminarian, the young idealistic dling and administering government,” he ex- FFW in People Power 2,” he discloses. Roy was assigned Media Coordinator at first; plains. “The Director’s position in the Bank, if then a Research and Information Coordina- The President relayed that she needed ca- one is serious about this responsibility is a tor; Officer-in-Charge of the Research and pable individuals in bodies, financial institu- full time position,” Ka Roy emphasizes. Information Center; and eventually a Tech- tions and government-owned and controlled Dir. Floro O. Oliveros took his oath-of- nical Assistant to the Brotherhood of Asian corporations to safeguard the people’s inter- office on 16 March 2001. Trade Unionists (BATU) President and FFW ests. Specific tasks President Emeritus Juan C. Tan. “When the appointment to the DBP was Because of his background in the labor Soon, he was assigned to the newly cre- offered to me, I was really surprised because movement Ka Roy was appointed member ated BATU Research and Documentation I was not looking at this nomination,” re- of the Bank’s Compensations Committee, Center as Policy Researcher until he became marked Ka Roy. which takes care of all the labor and com- negotiator and educator of the Federation’s Need to relinquish his posts pensation issues. Operations Department. Ka Roy was assured and convinced that He speaks when labor issues are raised in Thereafter, he served as FFW Adminis- 6 Vol. 3 No.4 trator for about ten years. Towards the end He actively represented the FFW and La- support to mass actions being done almost of that term, he was appointed Executive Di- bor Solidarity Movement (LSM) in everyday. rector of the reorganized PSI, a position he Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino 2 “We also organized other mass actions in held until this year. (Kompil 2) in the campaign to oust Erap. The cities like Cagayan De Oro, Davao, Cebu He was elected FFW NVP in 1998, serv- activist Roy is a member of the Steering Com- and cities in Luzon so that (the movement) ing one term. mittee of Kompil 2. will have a national component,” recounts As labor representative He was part of the transition committee Ka Roy. Consequently, a council of leaders Ka Roy recalls that his first appointment of President GMA. too. “While we were from various regions evolved, composing as representative of labor in a tripartite body working on the streets we were also working Kompil 2’s real backbone. was in the early 90s with the ECC, where he on the table putting on the agenda of govern- Secretary of Labor, ‘almost’ served as Commissioner for about four years. ment of the president,” he relates. “My named cropped up as a candidate His next post was as Trustee of the HDMF Roy’s emergence for the Secretary of Labor and Employment,” for two terms (four years). Ka Roy became the visible leader and rep- says Ka Roy, who was endorsed by civil so- He represented labor in other bodies like resentative of both FFW and LSM, gaining ciety groups. He could not refuse the nomi- the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, the prominence as he was tasked to articulate nation but hoped not be appointed so as not Garments Textile Industry Board and the the labor sector’s positions and view in pub- to leave the sector and responsibilities with Banking Tripartite Council among others. lic, in front of large audiences and television the FFW. “Simultaneously, in my personal capac- cameras. Eventually, the ‘acceptable’ and less ‘con- ity, I worked with civil society groups and in His old friend, Utol Rey narrates how ev- troversial’ Ms. Patricia Sto. Tomas got the several bodies working on various issues such eryone in their hometown of Quezon, Quezon nod, though she was the Chairperson of the as the environment, good governance and would eagerly await the next TV appearance Screening Committee, whose members transparency,” Ka Roy relates. He’s been of Uloy, Ka Roy’s nickname back home. Utol agreed not to be nominated for any position. joining anti-graft and corruption coalitions Rey is Area Coordinator of the FFW-PSI’s Other positions within DOLE like while advocating good governance for more Labor Initiatives Toward the Elimination of Undersecretary was offered to Ka Roy but than 20 years. Child Labor Program (LITECHILD) in the turned them down . “I would want the new Things to bear in mind as labor rep province. Secretary of Labor to name her own “Know whom you are representing,” is undersecretary, with whom she can work the best piece of advice Ka Roy could give to ‘Whenever I sit in tripar- well,” he declared. The position POEA Ad- trade unionists tasked to sit in tripartite or tite bodies I should be sure ministrator was also offered him. multi-sectoral bodies. Workers’ Rep by profession Ka Roy thinks that first and foremost, one that the interests, positions Throughout Ka Roy’s career, which is just should know he/ she is representing labor in and desires of workers will peaking, he has always spoken for and in be- general and private sector workers in par- half of labor, the sector closest to his heart, ticular. “Whenever I sit in tripartite bodies I always be in my mind,’ and has learned to serve selflessly. should be sure that the interests, positions and -- Ka Roy Oliveros Ka Ramon is glad Ka Roy has not re- desires of workers will always be in my DBP Director , FFW Leader signed from the FFW. He believes “we still mind,” notes the Quezon native. need his guidance and cooperation.” “A lot of preparation and a lot of study His newfound “fame” enabled him at the Ka Roy made a vocation out of trade union should be made in order to effectively repre- time to rub elbows a couple of times with organizing and treated the advocacy of labor sent them in these bodies,” demands Ka Roy renowned political personalities including as a personal cause. In the broader society, of labor leaders in order to discuss issues in- then Vice President GMA, Executive Secre- he has joined the struggle for good gover- telligently and rationally with other sectoral tary Bert Romulo, Senators Tito Guingona nance and a number social causes. representatives like employers and govern- and Frank Drilon, Department of the Interior “His dedication not only to his children, ment. and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina but also to the cause of labor and a just, free Ka Roy also urges that one be proactive and Presidential Management Staff Chief and humane society,” endears him to one of and forward-looking, able to study the vari- Vikki Garchitorena, to name a few. his staff, Ms. Raquel Arpojia, now PSI of- ous options available and able to propose Most of these figures, like Ka Roy were ficer-in-charge. She also recognizes his “pas- programs, policies and systems. mainstays of Kompil 1, one of the movers of sion and commitment to eliminate child la- “Presence is also a must,” he affirms. the first People Power, which could explain bor” making him an “effective mouthpiece “Always be there in venues of discussion and the recognition he gets. He was also a stal- for the cause. fora particularly in board meetings and dia- wart of the Bansang Nagkaisa ng Diwa’t To emulate Ka Roy or better his accom- logues with government and other sectors,” Layunin (BANDILA). plishments means abiding by the key char- he reminds leaders. Perpetual advocacy work acteristics he set out to make good labor rep- Ouster of Erap Ka Roy’s work schedule during the Im- resentatives: keep the interest of workers in Ka Roy perhaps cemented his stature as a peachment Trial was very hectic as it involved mind; study and prepare endlessly; and, ar- prominent labor leader during the historical not only manning the vigil at the Senate ticulate these effectively. Not to mention, events leading to People Power 2. grounds, but also providing manpower and get a good dose of media exposure! 7 Free Workers Ka Johnny gets BATU holds 14th Congress in Bangkok BATU top post anew FFW President Emeritus Juan C. Tan With the theme “Shaping the Global Environment Towards a Just was re-elected for another term as BATU and Humane Society,” the Brotherhood of Asian Trade Unionists President. (BATU) held its 14th Congress from 26-28 July in Bangkok, Thailand. He initially declined the nomination for health reasons but was prevailed upon to re- Delegates to the Congress, represent- · Promote social integration; consider to “maintain unity within BATU”. ing affiliated National Organizations and · Provide adequate social protection in Once he accepted the nomination, the ensu- ing elections became mere formalities. Trade Federations (TFs) across the CBAs and laws, and advocate for and Other FFW leaders elected to the BATU Asian region, including the Philippines’ undertake independently or in collabora- Executive Committee were: FFW National Federation of Free Workers, approved tion with different institutions economic President Ramon Jabar, Vice-President for a five-year Policy and Program of Ac- and social development programs or Southeast Asia; TF VIII Chair Ernesto tion anchored on responding to the so- projects; Verceles, ASIAFEDOP President; Mr. Jo- cial consequences of globalization that · Strengthen mechanisms for social dia- seph Strachan, ATF-MIG President; and, has accelerated a global “race to the bot- logue to ensure workers’ and people’s FFW Women’s Network (FWN) Chair Janet tom”. participation in decision-making and Dellaban, BAWC Chair. “The Congress approved a Plan of Ac- implementation of policies and programs Ka Johnny also served as World Con- tion that will lead towards a new kind affecting their lives, work and interests. federation of Labour (WCL) President in of trade unionism: the Trade Union-So- Meanwhile, the Congress passed a the 80s. cial Movement (TUSM),” says FFW resolution to strengthen the BATU struc- Concurrent WCL Confederal Secretary President Ramon Jabar, reelected as one ture. Thus, BATU delegates created the Nicetas Lucero, whose term expires after the of three BATU Vice Presidents, repre- position of General Secretary that shall WCL Congress in October this year, was senting the sub-region of Southeast Asia. assist the President in the daily opera- appointed BATU General Secretary. The plan zeroes in on areas of action tions of BATU. Completing the FFW contingent as offi- such as: human resource development; The Resolution also establishes a Man- cial delegates and participants to the Pre-Con- promotion and protection of labor; or- agement Committee that shall make de- gress Training and Conferences were: Atty. ganizational strengthening; reinforcing cisions in the general interest of the Broth- Allan Montaño, National Vice-President; Ms. trade action; self-reliance and social de- erhood, in between meetings of the EC. Grace Savella, VP for Visayas; Mr. Jose velopment; and, women empowerment. Gracing the Opening Program of the Cayobit, National Treasurer; Ms. Ma. Teresa The BATU shall also pursue policies BATU Congress were Mr. Yasuyuki Montejo, Board Member-at-Large; Mr. Or- Nodera, International Labor Office Di- lando Marcos, TF IV Chair; Ms. Nelia that will: rector for Asia-Pacific and Mr. Willy Saldua, FWN Vice Chairperson; Mr. Anto- · Restructure trade unionism and re- nio C. Asper; and, Ms. Elizabeth Navarosa. orient its traditional services; Thys, WCL Secretary General. For comments, suggestions and contributions write to: The Substantial Democracy Project FEDERATION OF FREE WORKERS FFW-BATU-CNV-Actie Kom Over 3/F FFW Bldg. 1943 Taft Ave., Malate 1004 Manila A publication of the Substantial Democracy Project, FFW-BATU-CNV Actie Kom Over

Juan C. Tan President Emeritus

Ramon J. Jabar National President, FFW

Janet Dellaban Chairperson, SDP Steering Committee

Ephraim Guerrero Julius Cainglet Editorial Team Juliet Palabon PRINTED MATTER Circulation 8