Urgent Action: Peaceful protesters attacked and one murdered
Hundreds of workers from southern Philippines have been camping out in Manila since 27 November 2018 to protest the labour conditions on Japanese-owned Sumitomo Fruit Corporation (Sumifru) plantations. Since declaring a strike on 1 October 2018, the workers have faced multiple attacks, including the killing of a prominent union member and the burning down of the union’s office and the houses of some members. A prompt, thorough and impartial investigation by the Philippine authorities into the threats and attacks should be conducted immediately, and the authorities must also guarantee the safety of the protesting workers.
Take action.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 04 MARCH 2019
Please write urgently in your own words or using the template letter included in English to:
Secretary
Menardo I. Guevarra
Department of Justice,
DOJ Building, Padre Faura Street,
Ermita, Manila,
1000, Philippines
(+632) 523 8482 to 98
communications@doj.gov.ph
Salutation: Dear Secretary
With copies to:
Secretary
Silvestre H. Bello III
Department of Labor and Employment
Department of Labor and Employment Building,
Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines
+632 5273494 (fax)
secshb3@dole.gov.ph, osec@dole.gov.ph
Urging him to:
- Ensure the rights of workers to enjoy security of tenure as guaranteed by Executive Order (EO) No. 51, s. 2018, and to form unions, receive just wages and benefits, and work under humane conditions as enshrined in the Labour Code of the Philippines;
- Ensure, as part of the Philippine labour department’s directive, that businesses such as Sumifru are compliant with the Labour Code and EO 51, as well as with the 8 Fundamental Conventions of the International Labour Organization to which the Philippines is a signatory, such as on freedom of association, right to organize and bargain collectively, and protection from discrimination.
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
HIS EXCELLENCY MR ANTONIO MANUEL LAGDAMEO Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines 6-11 Suffolk Street SW1Y 4HG Tel: 020 7451 1780 Fax: 020 7930 9787 embassy@philemb.co.uk philembassy-uk.org
Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.