Press Release
September 13, 2009

ILO Fact-Finding Mission to Probe Labor Rights Violation in RP
Villar: Time to Investigate Extra-Judicial Killings, Disappearances
of Trade Unionists

Nacionalista Party President Senator Manny Villar welcomes the fact-finding mission of the United Nations' (UN) International Labor Organization (ILO) to investigate labor rights abuses particularly violation of trade union rights in the country.

"This is really a welcome development, there have been so many complaints of killings, harassments and violations of workers' rights. The independent investigation that will be conducted by ILO's fact-finding mission will make a difference and is expected to yield results," said Villar.

ILO's investigation, which will be conducted from September 22 to 29, would focus on "serious allegations of the murder of trade unionists, death threats, arrests of trade union leaders in connection with their trade union activities, widespread impunity related to violence against trade unionists and the militarization of workplaces in export processing zones and special economic zones."

According to Villar, "The Philippines is gaining notoriety as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for many professions and people--journalists, lawyers, workers, and trade unionists. It is time to change this negative image and reputation of our country."

"Hopefully, the outcome of the ILO investigation will pave the way for penalizing and prosecuting the perpetrators of labor crimes. The number of labor-related violations has significantly risen over the years and is already a cause for alarm. There are so many trade union members that are still missing," added Villar.

According to 2009 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Philippines ranked number one in Asia and number three in the world in the number of trade unionists killed in the past year. From 2004 to 2008, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), recorded 70 killings and two cases of enforced disappearances in the labor sector. According to the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), which filed complaints to ILO in 2006, 92 trade union leaders have been murdered since President Arroyo assumed office in 2001.

News Latest News Feed