Labor group expresses concern over miners

[ALU Associated Labor Unions-TUCP]

Labor group expresses concern over miners

PEOPLE’S JOURNAL Published : Wednesday, September 26, 2012 00:00

Article Views : 33

Written by : Jun Icban Legaspi

 

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/38612-labor-group-expresses-concern-over-miners

THE Associated Labor Unions-TUCP yesterday urged the Canadian government to attend to the plight of asbestos miners who will stand to loose jobs after Quebec rescinded the loan intended to revive its dying asbestos mine industry following pressure from local and international activists.

Canada also decided they will no longer veto the listing of chrysotile in the prior informed consent trade watch list of the Rotterdam Convention of parties scheduled on June 2013.

The following is a statement issued by ALU National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno in relation to newly elected Canadian government decision to rescind government loan to Jeffrey asbestos mine and from backing down from its hard line position in forbidding the listing of chrysotile as a hazardous material in the trade watch list amid mounting pressure from local and international activists:

“The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) today congratulates the selfless, passionate, and persevering efforts exerted by many civil society groups and individuals, non-government organizations, trade unionists and cause-oriented groups led by human rights activist Ms. Kathleen Ruff in creating the critical pressure required in causing Canadian government to cancel its loan intended to revive the asbestos mine in Quebec and to force Ottawa to relinquish its unpopular opposition to the listing of chrysotile in the tradewatch list in the forthcoming Convention of Parties next year.

“The extraordinary solidarity and wise activism exemplified by Ms. Ruff and other various groups and individuals throughout the campaign is a template the ALU-TUCP is proud to share within ALU family, with the Filipino workers and other unions in the Philippines who are currently encumbered by similar advocacy campaign challenge.

“This measure of team victory for social and environmental justice to which ALU is grateful to take part of is phenomenal. However, as an inflection point for the campaign, our quest for justice is incomplete without taking the Jeffrey Mine workers into a just transition.