THE biggest coalition of various trade unions, workers’ associations and labor alliances in the country condemns the tragic and senseless killing of Jude Thaddeus Fernandez, a dedicated labor organizer affiliated with Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU). This shocking incident, which occurred on September 29, 2023, highlights a disturbing trend of violence against those who advocate for the rights of workers.
Nagmumukhang ito’y isang paradoks o isang malupit na biro pero totoong nangyari. While September 29 was the very day that national trade union leaders had a dialogue with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma in the morning until past noon in Malacañan Palace to investigate previous killings, harassment, and red-tagging of labor activists and to prevent such acts to happen again, another unionist was tragically killed in the afternoon in the province of Rizal. This chilling coincidence underscores the urgent need for concrete action to address the ongoing threats faced by labor organizers and activists.
It is with deep sadness and profound dismay that the NAGKAISA labor Coalition expresses its members condolences to the family and loved ones in of Jude Thaddeus Fernandez.
Kami ay kaisa at nakikiramay sa kaniyang pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay sa panahon ng kanilang pagdadalamhati.
We stand united in our condemnation of the killing of a fellow unionist. Fernandez, like all of us, was human. The killing of one demeans us all and strikes at the core of our shared humanity.
According to KMU, Fernandez was the 72nd victim of labor-related killings since 2016 and the fourth since the International Labor Organization (ILO) high-level tripartite mission arrived in January to call attention to the alarming spate of violence against unionists.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder that we seem to be repeating history, as we have not learned from it. An attack on one unionist is an attack on all who strive for the principles of justice, freedom of association, and workers’ rights.
In a recent dialogue with Executive Secretary Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on the right to self-organization and its violations at Malacañan Palace, NAGKAISA including
prominent trade unions such as FFW, PM, PSLINK, SENTRO, and the NACUSIP-UNIPLC and the TUCP, urged the Marcos administration to take immediate action on killings and trade union rights violations.
NAGKAISA calls for the amendment of Executive Order 23 and the transformation of the Inter-Agency on Freedom of Association, as outlined in the same executive order, into a presidential body that includes representatives from both workers and employers.
NAGKAISA further demands a thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Fernandez. We call on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the Inter-Agency on Freedom of Association under EO 23 to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into this tragic incident to bring those responsible to justice.
