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| Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
| Standards and Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work |
| World Labor Report 2000 |
| Opening Talk of the Crea President |
Promote and realize standards, fundamental principles and rights at work
This new Programme was launched to promote the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work , which was adopted in June 1998. Through the Declaration, all member States have renewed their commitment to respect, promote, and realize in good faith freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
The objectives of the InFocus Programme are to raise awareness of the Declaration among a broad range of actors, to catalyze technical cooperation programmes for the realization of fundamental principles and rights as part of countries' development efforts, to enhance knowledge concerning the relationship between respect for these principles and rights and sound, gender-sensitive development, and to carry out activities related to the Declaration Follow-up.
Copyright © 1996-2000 International Labour Organization (ILO) - Disclaimer
Income security and social protection in a changing world
Increasing globalization and trade liberalization are creating greater insecurity for many income earners. This flagship study examines the changing context in which women and men are trying to achieve income security for themselves and their families. Drawing on detailed, worldwide data, the World Labour Report 2000 examines the vital role played by social protection in supporting, supplementing and replacing market incomes in the event of old age, incapacity for work, bearing and raising children, and unemployment. Also included is health care - without which many in the developing world are unfit to earn their living.
The report discusses the effects of rising unemployment and underemployment, and of labour market developments which have exposed a growing number of workers, especially women, to low pay and precarious conditions. It considers other factors, such as changing family structures and demographic trends, that have created new needs and imposed new constraints. Prominence is given to measures addressing the unacceptable bias that still leaves women with lower levels of social protection than men.According to the report, the positive impact of social protection on the economy has often been neglected, and this impact can be enhanced by better coordination between social protection, labour market and anti-poverty policies. With many social security systems now under reform, future prospects are outlined and an alarm is sounded about the implications of pension fund growth for the instability of global financial markets. Top priority must be given - by civil society, as much as by the State - to finding the most effective means to bring social protection to the majority, especially in developing countries, who still go without.
An efficient economy and an effective system of social protection are both essential for the attainment of income security and a stable society. The report underlines the direct and immediate relationship between the provision of social protection and decent work, as underlined by Juan Somavia, Director-General of the ILO, in his first report to the International Labour Conference in 1999.
Freedom and democracy provide the context for workers' participation in the decisions that affect them. For social protection schemes to reflect workers' legitimate aspirations, democratic institutions must be in place. Good governance is also essential. The ILO is committed to working unstintingly for a world in which all workers benefit from an affordable level of social protection. The report makes concrete suggestions for achieving that goal.
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© 1999 International Labour Organization (ILO)
Opening Talk at the first meeting of Collective Bargaining Negotiation for the Year 2001 – 2004, June 18, 2001 at Admin. Conference Room.
It is of great privilege on my part to deal with the distinguished personalities of Caltex (Phil.) Inc., Batangas Refinery as I represent the Caltex Refinery Employees Association.
As an essential and fundamental right of the workers under our existing law is the right to form an organization or UNION for the purpose of Collective Bargaining, to deal with the employer’s concerning wages, hours of work and other terms and conditions of employment.
It was 46 years ago, when CREA was organized and affirmed its commitment to deliver the common good for both Management and Labor. The CREA’s overwhelming cooperation have shown much in the implementation of company’s policies and programs for the part of the Management, and the delivery of basic needs, benefits and welfare among members of the organization to the Labor side. For those 46 years that passed, 44 years were under the Across the Board Program and the last two years were under the Salary Administration Program.
Today, as we gather for the opening of Collective Bargaining Negotiation for the year 2001 – 2004, let us be aware that whatever the program is, it shall aim to provide improvements to all benefits we already enjoyed. We have the option under the Democratic Process to choose whatever we feel necessary to suit the needs of time and for fairness and equality to all Rank and File Employees.
Let me remind you, that UNIONISM today is far beyond yesterday, from an extremist and adversarial ideology of yesteryears to a reformed diplomacy today. We will discuss in behalf of the issues and we will not let our emotions come in the way to cause personal differences for both of us will just suffer in the end. We must always realize that for every hundreds of pesos we earned, the company earns millions of pesos which enables our shareholders to intensify more investment and with much belief in our capacity to run the refinery more efficiently and productively.
With your commitment to our shareholders for the best return on capital, let me remind you, that your employees must deserve compensation that can cope up to a decent standard of living that we previously enjoyed. The peso devaluation and salary inflation rate are essential factors to consider, likewise, the benefits that our fellow workers in the surrounding companies and those in line with the industry. As we ask for those benefits and welfare, I believe that we do have common vision, for continuous improvement in all aspects, in line with our business and in line with the benefits and welfare of employees.
We were very much surprised that some of your counter proposals constitute diminution of our existing benefits, wherein this was prohibited by law under this Republic. But we know that you are all fair-minded persons and you will always consider the legal and humanitarian aspects in all the topics we deal with.
The usual cooperation that CREA exerted in the past was an indication of our benevolent task to support the Company’s Programs and Policies for the efficiency and productivity of the refinery. Our mentality today has been enriched, through your effort in the Culture Change Program, and to the vast ideology of today’s UNION leaders, " that workers must always do their best to prove their sense of responsibility and accountability," but never due to the fear from the threats of the management staff, which constituted grave abuse of discretion on your part.
All of those goals and objective will not be fulfilled if you our partners in management will reiterate your objection to our demands. We will be sad if we will need a third party to decide, where they don’t really know the real circumstances for every issue and the harmonious relationship that existed between us.
Our request, is just simple, be open-minded, fair, accountable and humane to us, as we will prove to you our sincerest desire to make this negotiation come to an existence at the soonest time possible.
Thank you.
FCManalo