ILO: Contradicting evidence on extrajudicial killings in RP

MANILA, Philippines - The visiting high-level mission of the International Labor Organization (ILO) has gathered sufficient but “contradictory” evidence on the alleged extrajudicial killings of labor leaders in the country.

Cleopatra Doubia-Henry, director of ILO International Labor Standards Department (ILSD), said the mission is now prepared to submit a report to the ILO supervisory body.

“We have collected from the complainants, government agencies, and enterprises, a lot of relevant information which we will transmit to the ILO supervisory bodies for further consideration,” Henry said.

However, Henry said the information needs “further assessment,” particularly the statements on the abduction and killings of trade union leaders.

“The information were contradictory on whether trade union leaders were killed or not or whether the deaths were related to trade union activities or not. We are trying to gather information on this respect,” ILSD deputy director Karen Curtis said.

ILO sent a high level mission to the country last Sept. 22 after militant trade union Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) filed a complaint on the alleged killings and abuses committed against Filipino workers.

“We have completed our mandate after two weeks and there will be no letting up on these issues. Whether the allegations are valid or not they have to be addressed, Henry said.

She explained that allegations of killings and abductions of trade union leaders are sensitive and must be assessed thoroughly to give justice to all involved.

The ILO supervisory bodies would examine the evidence they gathered during their upcoming meetings in November to December. They would then release a report containing the mission’s findings and proposed solutions by March 2010.

While waiting for the official findings, the mission urged the government to create a multisectoral and interagency monitoring body to address the issues raised by local trade unions.

Henry said the creation of the tripartite body would show the government’s commitment to stop violations against the right of workers to organize.

The ILO also offered to provide training for the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in safeguarding the civil liberties of workers and their freedom of organization.

“We felt we have to clarify once and for all allegations of impunities, abduction and harassment,” Henry said.

Labor groups yesterday asked the government to align existing labor laws with international labor standards, particularly those pertaining to the rights of workers to unionize.

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Allan Montaño said the government should certify as urgent the proposed bills that would conform to the ILO standards on the protection of workers’ rights.

Montaño also urged the government to speed up the resolution of labor cases in courts and quasi-judicial bodies such as the National Labor Relations Commissions, and to bring down the cost of litigation

“These are acts of anti-union discrimination that result in the inordinate delay in the resolution of labor cases, coupled by the high cost of litigation which unions and worker-complainants can hardly afford,” he added.

According to FFW records, labor cases in the country drag on at an average of eight years, starting from the initial filing of complaint, to a series of appeals in quasi-judicial bodies and appellate court, until the Supreme Court hands a decision.

Montaño said the delay in the resolution is a violation of workers’ and trade union rights since the aggrieved parties are denied justice.