Ni MJ SULLIVAN
Suportado ng Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. sa Philippine-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA) at renewal ng EU GSP+ na nakatakdang mag-expire sa taong ito, na lubos na maasahan sa mas disenteng oportunidad sa trabaho na malilikha sa ilalim ng mga kasunduan sa kalakalan.
“In line with the President’s ardent belief that a future trade arrangement is a ‘win-win’ for both the Philippines and EU, the TUCP likewise believes that these trade privileges and future bilateral agreement tied to progressive compliance with the free exercise of labor rights, sustainable development, climate change energy transition, and the Indo-Pacific strategy of the European Union will also be a huge ‘win-win’ opportunity for both workers and employers,” ni TUCP vice president Luis Corral said.
“The various economic managers and concerned Government agencies however must be careful not to derail or unwittingly sabotage the President’s efforts to bring in more decent employment opportunities for our poor countrymen. Observance of human rights and international labour standards, which the country has yet to show firm commitment to based on findings of the International Labor Organization (ILO), are embedded in both EU trade instruments, similar to those of the US. Increasingly, trade is linked to promotion and respect for the fundamental principles and rights at work (FPRW), which embrace all the 8 core ILO Conventions and the 2 additional conventions on Occupational Safety and Health,” paliwanag pa nito.
Ang pagtalima ng bansa sa ILO Convention No.87 ay naging paksa ng hindi bababa sa tatlong (3) high-level technical missions noong 2009, ang pinakahuli ay noong Enero 2023 High Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) na muling nagpahayag ng matagal nang mga alalahanin sa karahasan laban sa unyon, political profile at impunity.
“Addressing long-standing workers’ issues, passing the long-committed labor legislations to align the Labor Code with the core standards, and pursuing the ratification of essential International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions will show the Marcos Administration’s firm commitment to the fundamental principles,” sabi ni Corral.
“Our economic managers, security agencies and employers should understand that trade unions are present here to ensure safe and healthy workplaces, just compensation and benefits, and consequently, this will translate to higher productivity, greater competitiveness, and enhanced profitability. Enough with the archaic mindset of profit at the expense of workers and union-busting, trade unions have long been social partners towards mutually beneficial outcomes for both workers and employers,” paliwanag pa ni Corral.
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