PH’s biggest labor group thanks DOLE, CHR for action on red-tagging
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization (PTGWO) thanked officials of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Commision on Human Rights (CHR) for their immediate action against red-tagging tarrgeting the group.
The group said a local chapter head, Jay-RM Tabelin, president of Sumi North Philippines Labor Union-PTGWO, was visited by barangay officials in his home and was told he was on a list of members of the New People’s Army.
In its statement, PTGWO said Tabelin feared for his life and his family following the encounter with the barangay officials.
“He was being dissuaded from organizing workers inside their company,” said lawyer Arnel Z. Dolendo, PTGWO national president.
PTGWO is organizing a union in Sumi North-Philippines Wiring System Corporation. However, forces opposing the initiative started harassing union officers and told workers that forminh the union was influenced by communist rebels.
Dolendo said the red-tagging stopped when the DOLE and CHR stepped in.
PTGWO sought the help of DOLE and CHR officials who provided information on the track record of the PTGWO in legitimately pursuing its objectives of empowering workers.
PTGWO is currently the biggest labor federation, in terms of individual membership, with more than 100 labor unions in various industries, according to DOLE records.
It is an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), and is one of the oldest labor organizations in the country, having been founded in 1953.
Red-taggung is a type of harassment perpetuated by labelling individuals or organizations as communists, subversives or terrorists.
“This is a notable experience for PTGWO, that while it is possible for forces against unionism to harass workers through red-tagging, the government has an effective mechanism to address these issues,” said Dolendo, also secretary general of TUCP.
PTGWO hailed the mechanism initiated by DOLE and other agencies through the Regional Tripartite Industrial Peace Council-Monitoring Body (RTIPC-MB) of addressing concerns against red-tagging and impunity against workers.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
