PRESS RELEASE
22 May 2013
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A Philippine labor group, on Wednesday,
called on the Taiwanese government to ensure the safety and job security of
thousands of Filipinos working in Taiwan
In a picket held at the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Makati City, the Partido ng Manggagawa
(Labor Party-Philippines) likewise appealed to the Taiwanese people to refrain
from using violence against Filipino workers who have nothing to do with the
current diplomatic row between the two countries over the death of a Taiwanese
fisherman off the Balintang channel last May 9.
“We appeal to both the Taiwanese and
Philippine governments to solve their diplomatic row not at the expense of our
OFWs. Pending the result of investigations and the satisfaction of
Taiwan’s demand for justice for fisherman Hung Shih-cheng, the safety and job
security of Filipino workers in Taiwan must also be ensured as they face actual
physical violence and threats of job loss,” stated Partido ng Manggagawa spokesperson
Wilson Fortaleza.
“As workers, we are likewise interested
in seeing justice served finally to fellow worker Hung and we won’t condone
failure or inaction on the part of the Philippine government. But the quest
of justice for Mr. Hung should not lead to unjust actions of fury against
thousands of Filipinos in Taiwan ,” said Fortaleza
The labor party reiterated that
migrant workers and their families are protected by international conventions (International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families) as
migrants’ rights are human rights.
Migrants have the right to equal
protection, non-discrimination, to work in safe working conditions and to be
protected against unjust dismissal.
