Labor rights group denounces Nutriasia

LABOR rights group Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) vehemently denounces the violent dispersal that injured more than 40 persons and illegal arrest of 19 workers and supporters of NutriAsia in Marilao, Bulacan on July 30, 2018.

CTUHR decries the consistent denial of NutriAsia that the striking workers were not theirs and of their sub-contractor when it is apparent that it was the sweat and blood of the workers that built the company’s empire.

The dispersal happened when the combined elements of the Bulacan Philippine National Police (PNP), hired security guards and goons of NutriAsia attacked the workers’ picketline, while the union leaders were in a negotiation with the management at the National Conciliation and Mediation Board in Quezon city.

This only proved that NutriAsia is able to wield its powers over government forces and court to rid its company with union members and protesting workers. The government knows fully well that NutriAsia violated several laws. Union-busting is illegal and yet, it kept mum and tolerated the strings of violations that NutriAsia had practiced for many years.

Several were injured including Leticia Retiza, 56, whose bloodied photo went viral in social media last night. She was one of the supporters of the workers’ strike. She was severely injured after being hit by a huge rock on the face. Twenty nine others sustained injuries in different parts of their bodies, and some are still in the hospital.

Nineteen workers and supporters were arrested including members of the alternative media.

CTUHR also expressed alarm over the PNP’s claims that they have found drugs and firearms from some of the workers and supporters. A certain Edwin Barena, allegedly carried drugs and firearms with him and was nabbed during the commotion. However, in today’s investigation, it was found out that the guy was already detained at Meycauyan jail since 2016 and was forced to pretend to have been in the strike and carried firearm and admit to using illegal drugs. This ploy is utterly desperate that it not only destroys the reputation of the strikers but even the already detained Barena.

This is a lame attempt to reaffirm the lies that Nutri Asia management peddles that the commotion erupted when the workers and their supporters fired a shot in the air and hurled rocks at the police and guards. This adds insult to the workers who, for many years, have been mixing, bottling, packaging and shipping their well-patronized products - Datu Puti, Silver Swan, Mang Tomas, Jufran, UFC, Golden Fiesta and many others.

The Nutri Asia workers led and united by the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng NutriAsia (NMN) began their legitimate strike last June 2, when the NutriA sia, owned and managed by Campos (who also owns Del Monte Philippines), refused to regularize almost a thousand longstanding contractual workers despite a compliance order from Department of Labor and Employment (Dole). The illegal dismissal of 75 leaders and supporters of NMN also triggered the workers’ strike.

The NutriAsia 19 were charged with illegal assembly, physical injuries, alarm and scandal and violation of RA 9165 (Dangerous Drugs) and RA 10591 (Firearms Law).

The Center joins the growing clamor for justice for the workers of NutriAsia.

IREFUSE to fret, with traditional political patrons and their wards, over a Gloria Arroyo House speakership. I’d much rather rejoice with those who appreciate the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Its passage is nothing short of a miracle and is of more positive consequence to our national life.

It is a miracle of sorts that our traditional vested-interest-politician legislators actually came up with an organic law that is acceptable to the Bangsamoro people. Yet, as it happened, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the leading group in the fight for Muslim autonomy, was jubilant over it. This bodes well for the future of the hitherto neglected Bangsamoro region. I join them in their prayer that Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) will likewise see the BOL as a viable road to peace and progress.

Of course, it is still to hurdle a referendum and loads of human-weakness related problems can be expected to hamper its enforcement. As early as now, MILF leaders are already in fear of a possible temporary restraining order (TRO) that some group might file in court.

Furthermore, it is no surprise that the BOL was received not so much with a bang as with a whimper by the rest of the country. It only goes to show how unconcerned the other regions have been for the welfare of the Muslim people. The other side of the miracle that we need appreciate is that in spite of centuries of neglect and inferior treatment, the Bangsamoro people stuck to their Filipino progeny and chose the way of peace in the pursuit of autonomy.

I lived in Mindanao for more than two decades. In some of those years, I worked as Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (of the Mindanao Bishops’ Social Action Office) and brought food, medicines, kitchen utensils and housing materials to the civilian victims displaced by the war which was then between the government and the MNLF. All this time, I found myself staring in muted agony at the ugly specter of prejudice that not only deprived Muslims of sympathy but also fueled the war.

It is the ultimate irony in their lives that the people whom Spain never successfully conquered should end up among the most neglected in postcolonial Philippines. It was their love for freedom that impelled them to fight against centuries-old injustices that the BOL hopefully would now correct.

I hope that people can appreciate the BOL as a major victory for equality over prejudice, freedom over oppression, peace over war. We cannot imagine how many more innocent lives would be lost and how much more deeply into armed desperation the Bangsamoro people would sink if there was no BOL and they have to resume the war for autonomy.

Hence, if we can appreciate the BOL for the miracle that it is we should also contribute to its success.