RETRENCH ROQUE, FIRE GMA! SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS PROTEST TO STOP LAY-OFFS AND RETRENCHMENT

RETRENCH ROQUE, FIRE GMA!
SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN WORKERS PROTEST TO STOP LAY-OFFS AND RETRENCHMENT

Women workers led by Gabriela ST and the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan marched to the Department of Labor and Employment today calling on the Arroyo government to take immediate action against the spate of retrenchments especially n the Southern Tagalog region.

Data collated by the Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan Southern Tagalog and PAMANTIK reveal that in Laguna and Cavite, at least 35,000 workers have lost their jobs beginning in January of 2009 alone while some 40,000 more are being subjected to flexible labor schemes and practices like reduced work hours, forced leaves and early retirement, all resulting to massive joblessness in the region. It is estimated that for every 100 workers that are laid off, 70 to 80 among them are women.

“What we need are jobs in the face of this worsening economic and financial crisis. We do not need a government that connives with manufacturers, capitalists and foreign investors in passing on the burden of this crisis to the workers. By allowing these flexible labor practices, the DOLE and the Arroyo government is revealing its anti-worker character,” said Leona Entena Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson.

‘More than the workers, it is Mrs. Arroyo and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque who should be laid off and retrenched! They have not done their job to protect and uphold the interests of workers. Their continued stay in their offices is a waste of people’s money.”

For Reference:     Leona Entena (09106660574)
Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon
GABRIELA Laguna chairperson

SOUTHERN TAGALOG WOMEN TROOP TO US EMBASSY; CALL FOR IMMEDIATE EXIT OF US TROOPS

“Hindi kami titigil. There will be no stopping us from making our protest against the Visiting Forces Agreement and the presence of US troops in our country known.”

This was according to Leona Entena Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon and GABRIELA Laguna chairperson as women from the Southern Tagalog region trooped to the US embassy today.

“The VFA has brought much violence and abuse to women, children and communities where US troops hold their military exercises, rest and recreation activities as well as their so-called socio-civic activities. Their continued presence in our country, from Mindanao to Bicol and even in Cavite in the Southern Tagalog region is a threat to women and children” said Entena.

Protesters from Southern Tagalog said they do not want to experience the threat and violence of the presence of US troops in their communities. “The way that they have meddled with and interfered with political economic and social affairs, as well as the delivery of services in communities in Mindanao. This outright interference and trampling of our sovereignty is slowly spreading to other regions and we must not allow this to happen.”

Balikatan military exercises are slated to be conducted not just in Bicol but in Sangley Point and Ternate in Cavite as well.

“The presence of US troops is a testament of the Arroyo government’s subservience to US interests and her inutility to the pleas of women, children and communities. We demand that this outright offensive on our sovereignty, national security be stopped immediately.”

For Reference:     Leona Entena (09106660574)
Gabriela Women’s Party Vice Chairperson for Luzon
GABRIELA Laguna chairperson