The militant labor organization Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) on Sunday has expressed support for the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE’s) Administrative Order creating the Technical Working Group (TWG) on the preparation for the International Labor Organization (ILO) Tripartite Mission with respect to the Philippine government’s adherence to ILO Conventions 87 and 98 which it ratified.

“We take notice and are concerned, however, that the DOLE excludes workers in the composition of the TWG,” said the KMU in a statement.

The KMU likewise urged DOLE to include workers in the TWG in the spirit of “tripartism”, and being the direct victims of violations on the ground.

The KMU said the TWG should frame the conduct and Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Mission in such a way that it is “inclusive, transparent and sensitive to the needs and interests of the workers.”

“We are hoping the ILO HLM (High Level Meeting) to shed light on the numerous violations of workers’ rights in the Philippines such as killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment and threats, intervention in union affairs by security forces and ultimately the violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of association and self-organization, as provided in the aforementioned Conventions, including but not limited to the right to form unions and air their grievances through CBA, protests and strikes,” said the KMU.

The KMU said they vow to continue to fight for trade union rights and basic human rights.

“We shall remain vigilant until the full realization of our demands for accountability and justice for the workers,” the labor organization said./Stacy Ang