- Conference
- 2010 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 8 February 2010
- Decision
- Carried
The Philippines is becoming increasingly dangerous for trade unionists and labour activists. According to the International Trade Union Confederation’s Annual Survey of Trade Union rights violations, the Philippines is the most dangerous place in Asia to be a trade unionist. In 2008, 218 new cases of trade union and human rights violations involving almost 69,000 individuals were reported, a 25% increase on the previous year.
Trade unionists continue to be victims of murder, torture and abduction, are regularly subjected to threats and intimidation and often face dismissal for undertaking basic trade union activity.
Murders and disappearances of trade union and labour activists have been linked to the armed forces of the Philippines, and an environment of impunity exists, meaning the authorities will not investigate the crimes stating that it is “leftist” organisations killing each other.
With continuing high rates of unemployment, despite the fact that nearly 3,500 people a day leave the country to try and find work elsewhere, and with many people working in vulnerable jobs with either no or very little pay, Filipino workers are also suffering the devastating effects of the neo-liberal policies pursued by the Arroyo regime.
For several years, UNISON has worked with trade unions and human rights organisations both in the UK and the Philippines to support the growth of trade union membership and assist organisations to challenge the violations of trade union rights and the culture of impunity that exists in the Philippines.
UNISON believes support should be increased so that trade unions and human rights organisations can continue their work. Conference therefore calls on the National Executive Council to:
1)Explore ways of supporting trade unions and labour groups to build their capacity and mount challenges to trade union and human rights violations against workers in the Philippines;
2)Work with the Filipino diaspora community, to encourage them to join the union and to support them in their efforts to combat trade and human rights violations in the Philippines;
3)Urge the British government to take a stronger line with the Philippine government in calling for an end to trade union and human rights violations and the ending of the culture of impunity;
4)Provide regular information to UNISON activists on developments in the Philippines in relation to attacks on trade unionists and labour activists and violations of workers fundamental rights;
5)Encourage branches and regions to affiliate to the Campaign for Human Rights in the Philippines (CHRP);
6)Work with the TUC and the Global Union Federations to raise awareness of the situation in the Philippines amongst the international trade union movement.