ILO-TU Organizing in the 21st Century for Public Sector Workers

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The first ILO-Trade Union Training-Workshop on Organizing in the 21st Century for Public Sector Workers was held on July 4-6, 2014 at the Gems Hotel and Conference Center, Antipolo Rizal.

More than 30 public sector organizers from the four major public sector union confederations (CIU, PGEA, PIPSEA, PSLINK) participated in the activity.

Shigeru Wada, Senior Specialist-Workers Activities of the ILO led the discussion on the situation of precarious workers globally and in Asia and how the ILO and its instruments can be used to address precarious work in the public sector.

Carlos Carrion-Crespo, ILO Senior Specialist in Sectoral Activities-Public Service, discussed the ILO Convention No. 151 and how it can be used to improve public sector labor relations in the country and promote good governance.

The Chairs of the PSU confederations such as PSLINK General Secretary Annie Enriquez-Geron provided inputs regarding the relevance of unionism today and the issues and challenges in organizing in the public sector.

Atty. Benjo Benavidez of DOLE discussed relevant labor statistics and the legal environment of organizing in the public sector.

The training-workshop was organized to equip organizers with the necessary skills and knowledge on organizing in the public sector amid globalization, privatization and increasing shift to precarious work.

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PSLINK Mission in Visayas

A team from PSLINK is currently in Visayas for a two-week mission to document participatory school governance practices in pilot schools as part of the LO FTF Country Program, assess the situation in areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda, help set up solidarity centers.

Best practices in pilot schools

The team has spent the past week in Negros Oriental to meet with internal and external stakeholders of pilot schools including school heads, students, teachers, union members, local government officials, parents, and NGO/civil society representatives. The team conducted interviews and meetings to see where the pilot schools are in terms of implementing the reforms under the Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA) such as the establishment of functional School Governing Councils (SGCs).

In some schools well functioning SGCs have also improved the workings of teacher unions and associations.

‘’What I know is that with the active involvement of the members of the SGC, the projects and programs of the teachers association are being carried out. They are there to help us,” says Ellen Edrial, president of the Sta. Catalina teachers association, and a member of the SGC.

The success in organizing SGCs varies a lot from school to school. The team will gather related challenges and best practices which can later on serve as basis for the policy recommendations that PSLINK will advocate at the national, regional and local levels. A good example on SGC practices is Sta. Catalina National High School.

‘’Our SGC has grown to what it is today because we really identify problems and solutions together. We always communicate with our stakeholders and share information. What the SGC has done to us should be shared to other schools,’’ says Reyco Belnas, principal of Sta. Catalina National High School.

Solidarity center to be built

PSLINK, in coordination with the other unions affiliated with the Public Services International, is exploring the possibility of setting up a solidarity center in each of the three main regions of the Philippines. The centers will provide shelter during disasters and will be equipped with a clinic, dormitory, kitchen, toilets and other necessary facilities.

Constancio B. Dael Jr., municipal planning and development coordinator and former president of Siaton Municipal Employees Association, sees the urgent need for such a center.

‘’We don’t have a relief center in the municipality. What we are utilizing are existing structures that do not fit. Like our gymnasium – it has no relief facilities,” he said.

The centers will be built through the solidarity funds raised by PSI from its union affiliates in different countries. The initiative is seen to underscore the role of quality public services and unions in addressing disasters and climate change.

Tomorrow the team will travel to Tacloban to meet with affiliates and conduct a follow-up assessment. The team will also visit evacuation centers and relocation sites.

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PSLINK LGU leader participates in the World Summit for Local and Regional Leaders in Rabat, Morocco

Bro. Jonathan Jamora, President of the Consolidated Council of the Federation of Local Government Unit Employees under PSLINK, attended the UCLG Congress World Summit for Local and Regional Leaders held in Rabat, Morocco on October 1-4, 2013. He is also the president of the Bislig City Employees Association (BISCEA) in the Philippines and a member of the National Executive Board of PSLINK. The following article is a condensed version of his narrative report regarding his participation to the global summit which he presented during the NEB meeting held in PSLINK last December 23, 2013.  

Through PSLINK I became part of the official PSI delegation to the World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders / 4^th United Cities and Local Government (UCLG) Congress held at the Hotel Sofitel, Rabat Morocco on October 1 to 4 2013. PSI was represented by ten (10) unions from developing countries.

On September 30, the day of our arrival, I joined the first PSI Coordination meeting held at the lobby of the Hotel Le Pietre. The meeting which was presided by the PSI General Secretary herself, Ms. Rosa Pavanelli, was attended by the entire PSI delegation to the summit. Each of the local unions shared their experiences, best practices, and future plans during the meeting. After the sharing we were briefed about the program activities and our agenda in the world congress. Ms. Pavanelli told us that UCLG and PSI have a lot in common: we both work for Quality Public Services. There are huge opportunities for cooperation at the international, regional and local levels in order to support access to quality public services.

As we all know, local executives have different priorities. Some defend public services as a public task, others push for outsourcing, privatization and PPPs. PSI seeks to contribute our experiences in the debate and in the meeting with the local officials. PSI also seeks to create new and stronger alliances between those who defend public services.

At the international level, PSI has already been invited to contribute to the GOLD III report UCLG submission to the UN and this was warmly welcomed by the UCLG. PSI’s role is to highlight the views of the working class and our position during the summit. PSI will have a stand at the exhibition booth to visualize the trade unions in the sector. More trade unions are invited to hand out their materials at the stand. The PSI had focused on QPS and trade union rights in public services.

Registration was held on October 1 while the Opening Ceremony was held the next day. His Majesty the King of Morocco Mahamed VI welcomed all the Delegates.

It was followed by the introductory plenary which had as its theme: IMAGINE SOCIETY, BUILD DEMOCRACY. The different speakers discussed and analyzed the major current and future challenges in our era faced by local and regional governments throughout the world. The sessions dealt with the impact of important global shifts that are currently taking place throughout the world, in particular, the effects of political, economic, social and environmental crisis on towns, cities and territories.

The sessions also served as a venue to reflect on the impact of local democracy as well as the contribution of the international municipal movement in the construction of local democracy issues in the 20^th century taking into account the impact of the ‘Arab Spring” and the recentralization attempts in various regions.

On the third day, October 3, we went to the ISESCO Building, an hour-ride from the venue, and attended a parallel session with the topic “Promoting Local Economic Development.” Ms. Pavanelli was one of the speakers. The session sought to present local development solutions and their impact in the eradication of poverty. Particular attention was given to the positive results of south cooperation involving local authorities, representatives of social partners and other development actors. Session organizers include the International Labour Organization (ILO), Andalous Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity (FAMSI), and the UCLG Working on Migration and Co-Development.

On the last day of our activities (October 4), we just stayed in our exhibition stand and observed others. We had some free time in the afternoon which we spent roaming around their “palengke” and buying souvenir items.

Overall, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to PSLINK for giving me the opportunity to participate in this very important global meeting. It was indeed a rare opportunity to be sent to a country as far away as Morocco and represent my country and union!

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5th National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy Forum

PSLINK participated in the 5th National Human Resources for Health (HRH) Policy Forum held on November 6, 2013 at the Manila Hotel with the theme “Moving Forward: Strengthening the Philippine Health Workforce for Universal Health Care.”

The forum provided a venue to discuss efforts related to the implementation of the HRH Master Plan at the agency and organizational levels. It also facilitated exchange of best practices and other relevant information on the Philippine health workforce production, management, and development.

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Among the topics discussed were:

• Outcome-based Education for HRH
• Philippine Qualification Framework- ASEAN Qualification Framework for Global Competitiveness
• HRH Masterplan
• Review of Local Government Code to Strengthen/Support Achievement of Universal Health Care
• Philippine Experience in Bilateral Labor Agreements
• Mapping of Indicators for the National Human Resources for Health Workforce Projections

PSLINK General Secretary Annie Enriquez Geron served as one of the resource speakers during the forum. She presented the PSI Participatory Research on Migration in the Health Sector copies of which were also distributed to the participants.

Held annually, the forum is seen as a means to strengthen partnerships and stakeholder participation in HRH policy development. The event was sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Resources for Health (HRH) Network Philippines.

PSLINK is an active member of the HRH Network.

Boni @ 150 PSLINK mob

PSLINK joined the November 30 mobilization in celebration of Bonifacio Day.

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PSLINK participates in the PSI Meeting on Social Protection for migrant workers

There are now around 232 million international migrants according to the United Nations, majority of whom are migrant workers. Given the trend towards temporary/circular migration models, increasing precariousness of jobs everywhere, and the failure of states to address underdevelopment (particularly of countries of origin) and its underlying structural causes, ensuring access to and portability of social protection for migrant workers has become all the more pertinent.

“When social protection is not available, people struggle to survive,” said Annie Enriquez-Geron, General Secretary of Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)  as well as Vice President for PSI Asia Pacific Region.

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Day 1 Nov 28 2013 Pictures

“Social protection is necessary for economic development and social justice. We can address the global race to the bottom by pushing for social protection floors and quality public services,” Enriquez-Geron said.

Migrant workers, particularly women and undocumented workers, are often excluded from the coverage of social protection schemes due to nationality or residency restrictions. Even in cases where migrant workers are entitled to some form of social security in their country of employment, they are most likely to lose their accumulated benefits when they return back their origin countries due to non-portability of benefits. Thus, many migrant workers pay into the social security system of their country of employment and yet get nothing in the end.

Other critical issues are the lack of coordination on social security for migrant workers between origin and destination countries and the lack of awareness/information on the right to social security among migrant workers.

It is within this context that PSI held the 2-day Public Service Trade Union Action Planning Meeting on Social Protection for Migrant Workers in Hotel Sylter, Berlin, Germany on November 28-29, 2013.

The meeting’s objectives were to:

• Strengthen solidarity between public service trade unions in origin and destination countries in promoting migrant workers’ rights and access to quality public services for all;
• Build a common understanding among public service trade unions of the existing policy frameworks, realities and challenges in ensuring access to social protection for migrant health and social care workers; and
• Formulate a three-year action plan to be undertaken by public service trade unions in Asia and Europe to ensure access to social protection for migrant health and social care workers.

Around 20 participants including PSI affiliates from countries of origin such as the Philippines, India, and Vietnam, and countries of destination such as Germany, Finland, Norway and Denmark, attended the meeting. The meeting was organized through the collaboration of the ILO and PSI under the EU-funded Decent Work Across Borders Project.

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Day 2 Nov 29 2013 Pictures

Typhoon Haiyan: PSI Solidarity Support to all affiliates in the Philippines

Click on the link to read the solidarity letter and call for support from PSI.

Typhoon Haiyan: Solidarity support to all PSI affiliates in the Philippines

PSLINK Call for Support Re: Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) affected communities

Please find below message from PSLINK regarding the aftermath of super typhoon Haiyan (also known as Yolanda) in the Philippines.

 

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November 12, 2013 

TO ALL AFFILIATES, PARTNERS, AND COLLEAGUES:

Thank you for your concern and messages of solidarity at this very difficult time.

As you may have already heard from the news, thousands of people have been affected by super typhoon Haiyan which ravaged the country a few days ago. It is said to be one of the strongest tropical cyclones on record to make landfall. Death toll is still unclear but there have been estimates placing it at 10,000. Roads, bridges and airports have all been destroyed hindering rescue and relief operations. The entire country has also just been placed under a state of national calamity. And while we are still reeling from the devastation brought about by Haiyan, another typhoon is set to make landfall in the Southern part of the Philippines this week. Indeed, these are really trying times for all of us.

PSLINK has many affiliates in the areas hardest hit by the typhoon such as Tacloban, Leyte, Iloilo, and Samar. Some of us also have relatives and loved ones based in these areas. Unfortunately, we have not heard from most of them as power and communication lines were destroyed by the typhoon as well. At present we are still in the process of locating our members, friends and family and assessing the situation.

PSLINK has already deployed staff to visit the areas affected.  Hopefully we can get more updates in the next few days. As we assess the extent of damage and devastation, we are also mobilizing immediate support from our other affiliates and partners who wish to help.

For those interested to make cash donations, please see PSLINK bank account details below:

Account number: 291-3-29150062-6

Bank: Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company (Metrobank)

Bank address: Pasong Tamo, Bagtikan, Makati

Name of account holder: Public Services Labor Independent Confederation

Bank SWIFT code: MBTCPHMM

PSLINK is also accepting non-cash donations. Kindly send them to the PSLINK National Headquarters:

# 15 Clarion Lily St. St. Dominic Subdivision Congressional Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

Telefax: +63-2-9244710

Mobile number: +63-9175325556

Email: pslinkconfederation@gmail.com

When making non-cash donations, please take into consideration the immediate needs of the people affected. Kindly consider the following: 

Ø  Drinking water

Ø  Non-perishable food items:

·         Biscuits

·         Canned goods

·         Sugar

·         Cereals

·         Noodles

·         Coffee

Ø  Non-food items:

o   Usable clothes (Avoid donating cocktail dresses, gowns, leather jackets, coats, and designer tops)

o   Toiletries (not just shampoo, soap but also toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitary napkins for women, alcohol)

o   Slippers

o   First aid kit

o   Medicine (ex. for cough, colds, fever and diarrhea)

o   Buckets

o   Pails

o   Mats and blankets

o   Mosquito nets

Thank you in advance for all your help and solidarity. Please feel free to contact us for further inquiries or other related concerns.

Sincerely,

ANNIE ENRIQUEZ-GERON

General Secretary       

PSI holds National Forum on UN High Level Dialogue on Migration & Development

More than 60 participants attended the national forum with the theme “Towards a Country Strategy and Position for the 2nd UN HLD on Migration and Development: A National Forum among Trade Unions, Civil Society and Government.”

 The public event facilitated by the Public Services International (PSI) and its affiliates in the Philippines which include PSLINK brought together representatives of trade unions, civil society organizations, and the government agencies involved in the Philippine preparations for the UN HLDMD.

The forum was organized to strengthen cooperation among social partners and build a common strategy and position to further advance decent work for migrant workers. It also served as a preparatory event to the Global Unions panel event scheduled on October 2, 2013 in UN New York.

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William Gois, Regional Coordinator of Migrant Forum in Asia gave an overview of the UN HLDMD, the civil society processes around it, and the proposed five-year action agenda. PSI Migration Programme Coordinator Genevieve Gencianos presented about PSI as well as the Global Unions’ position to the UN HLDMD. Select resource persons talked about the recommendations from the Philippine trade unions and civil society groups.

Annie Enriquez-Geron, General Secretary of the Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) underscored the need to decrease the financial costs of migration and improve transparency and accountability in the recruitment industry. She called for ethical recruitment of migrant workers and urged the Philippine government to push for the abolition of placement fees.

After the presentation of recommendations from the civil society, government representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) were asked to respond and provide information on the preparations being done by the Philippine government prior to the October UN HLDMD.

The panel of government speakers included the following:

• GONARANAO B. MUSOR, Division 4 Director, United Nations and Other International Organizations (UNIO-DFA)
• ANNE KRISTINE SALVADOR, Principal Assistant, Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA-DFA)
• LIBERTY T. CASCO, Deputy Administrator, Employment and Welfare, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)-DOLE
• ANDREA LUISA C. ANOLIN, Executive Assistant, CFO

The open forum that followed provided an opportunity for all the trade unions, civil society groups and government agencies present to further sharpen the Philippine strategy and position for the upcoming UN HLDMD in October. All the stakeholders committed to supporting a rights-based approach to migration and development.

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Policy Dialogue on Mobility of Health Professionals

The International Labor Organization (ILO) through its Decent Work Across Borders Project just held a Policy Dialogue yesterday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The Policy Dialogue dubbed “Mobility of Health Professionals between the Philippines and Selected EU Member States” focused on the four researches that were produced as part of the project. These were the following:

•  The effects of the Philippines Bilateral Arrangements with Selected Countries
• Assessment of the Impact of Migration of Health Professionals on the Labour Market and Health Sector Performance in Destination Countries
• Investigating the Working Conditions of Filipino and Indian-born Nurses in the United Kingdom
• Assessment of existing Services for Skilled Migrant Workers: Philippine Project Site

PSLINK and ANG NARS participated in the dialogue. Annie Enriquez-Geron, General Secretary of PSLINK served as one of the reactors during the activity as shown in the picture below.