FFW lauds RP gov’t acceptance of ILO Mission on the extra-judicial killings

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) commends the Philippine Government for accepting the International Labour Organization (ILO) High-Level Mission to look into the "extra-judicial killings" in the country.

Global Financial Crisis may worsen child labor situation

“More and more children, especially girls, will stop schooling and enter the risky world of work as the impact of the global financial crisis deepens,” said Julius Cainglet of the Federation of Free Workers as the Philippines commemorated World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) with the Department of Labor, employers and other agencies composing the National Child Labor Committee.

Child Labor problems may worsen due to economic crisis

The Imperative of Speedy Labor Justice
By: Atty. Sonny Matula, Vice President of FFW(ITUC)-Philippines

The right of workers to have more in law is substantiated in the provision of the Constitution that states “(f)ree access to court and quasi-judicial bodies and legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty” (cf. Sec. 11, Art III of the Constitution).

Cardinal Rosales meets labor leaders

MANILA, May 8, 2009—The Church of Manila has responded to the need for the protection of ordinary workers amid the economic downturn and growing fears of job losses

Long road to the Jobapalooza
Laid off workers hope to find jobs
News Release: May 1, 2009

While all roads led to the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia for the biggest and most ambitious mega “job and livelihood fair” to date, not all jobseekers were as enthusiastic.

PRESS RELEASE
25 March 2009

FFW Supports Unemployment Assistance

The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) supports the initiative to adopt an unemployment insurance scheme for displaced workers.

PHILIPPINES: Concerns grow over human trafficking
as financial crisis deepens

MANILA, 13 March 2009 (IRIN) - Concerns are growing that the global economic slump, which is causing increased joblessness, could see an increase in human trafficking, said specialists.

PHILIPPINES: Global downturn threatens poverty goal

MANILA, 2 March 2009 (IRIN) - Vangie Kelseat joined the unemployed when the global financial crisis began taking its toll. After working 12 years at a car-seat cover manufacturing company in Manila, Kelseat was laid off in October.

Initiatives to address the Job-Skills Mismatch: A Presentation of the Employment Program of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW-ITUC)

“Square Pegs-Round Holes Phenomenon:Solving the Unemployment Puzzle” DOLE-Institute for Labor StudiesCasa MarineroIntramuros, Manila 23 Sept. 2008

THE ROLE OF UNIONS IN MATCHING JOBS TO SKILLS

Available data shows there are many jobs that cannot be filled up because of mismatch between jobs demanded by the labor market and skills supplied by workers.

The labor market changes very fast; consequently skills become obsolete sooner than later. It does not help that training efforts are both expensive and less responsive to fast changing demand for skills. To compete, employers demand “flexible” workers, that is, a multi-skilled workforce.

Justice for Filipino Workers, still a pipedream

While government is cooking up a package of announcements that would serve as a "gift" to workers on Labor Day like tax exemptions and cheaper medicine, it seemingly can't respond to something basic that labor has longed for: Justice

The Federation of Free Workers is outraged over yet another instance of institutionalized corruption in government and the consequent violation of human rights in an attempt to silence key witnesses to the raging National Broadband Network (NBN) investigations.

Such violations of human rights bring a chilling effect to citizens and activists who opt to exercise their Constitutionally-ensured freedom of expression, freedom of speech and the right to redress government for legitimate grievances.