Labor group takes stand vs. contractualization

Different labor groups headed by the Solidarity of Cebu Workers gathered yesterday to strengthen the campaign against work practices like contractualization and casualization.The “Pag-alsa Batok Kontraktwalisasyon” movement aims to encourage various labor groups to actively participate in the move against the “destruction of hundreds of thousands regular jobs” for the past years which is said to be the result of massive contractualization in various companies.

Alliance of Progressive Labor Visayas chairman Joe Tomongha said they will conduct various moves to stop “precarious” work arrangements and conduct a rally in line with the celebration of Bonifacio Day.

The said rally will start at 9 a.m. in Plaza Independencia after which the participants will march to Gaisano Metro Colon where they will conduct a program to air their grievances.  They are expecting more than a thousand people to join the rally.

The said rally is also a call to action regarding the victims of the massive lay-offs in the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.

The ALP believes that in the next few years the “privileged” workers with fixed contracts, separation pay and higher wages will be history and myths of a job for life will crumble.

The Solidarity of Cebu Workers has 30 member groups that include the Alliance of Progressive Labor, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Development Bank of the Philippines Employees Union, Employees Association of Robinson’s Market, Manggagawa Para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan, Manggagawa sa Kumonikasyon ng Pilipinas, League of Urban Poor in Action, Maribago Bluewater Employees Union, National Federations of Labor, National Union of Workers in Hotels and Restaurant and Allied Industries, National Union of Building Construction Workers, Partido Manggagawa, Prince Warehouse Club Mandaue Employees Union, Tambuli Beach Club Employees Union, Visayan Electric Company Employees Union and Workers of Lami Foods. – Phoebe Jen Indino/BRP