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Int’l NGO hits LCMCo on HRVs vs. workers

BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 12) — A Denmark-based indigenous rights’ advocate raised concern over alleged human rights violations committed by the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMCo) against its workers who are now on their second month of strike for wage increases and reinstatement of their dismissed leaders.

“A series of human rights violations committed against the striking workers at the Lepanto Mines has come to our attention,” expressed the statement of solidarity by the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA).

IWGIA said that the violations “included series of forced dispersals of picket lines, arrest and detention of 23 workers, and forced eviction (of workers) from their homes.” Issued on August 5 from its Denmark office, the IWGIA statement also noted that food and medical blockade also were committed by LCMCo had reached its attention.

“We find this matter relating to the fundamental issues of workers’ rights very serious,” observed the IWGIA. They claimed that the Lepanto Employees Union (LEU) already adjusted their earlier demands for wage increases but the management failed to agree on this adjusted demands.

IWGIA also raises its concern on management’s dismissal of union officers, which, it said, is tantamount to union busting. All 19 LEU officials and some of their members were dismissed due to their involvement on the strike.

The IWGIA

IWGIA is an international organization that supports struggles of indigenous peoples for human rights, self-determination, right to territory, control of land and resources, cultural integrity and right to development.

It collaborates and provides services to different indigenous peoples in the world. It conducts fact finding on events and issues involving violations of indigenous peoples rights.

The group brings its documentations on violations against indigenous peoples to the concerned governments and the agencies of the United Nations such as the Commission on Human Rights under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Founded in 1968 by human rights activists and anthropologists, IWGIA is among the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that hold consultative status with the UN ECOSOC.

Meanwhile, the officers and members of the striking LEU welcome this new development.

“This kind of support is well and good for all of us. It can help enlighten the Makati-based executives of Lepanto that we are supported for our just struggle,” said Ronald Maslian, spokesperson and auditor of LEU.

They claimed that they continuously receive solidarity support from here and abroad including the groups of Cordillera domestic workers in Hongkong.

The workers claimed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 77th Infantry Battalion headed by a certain Major Basilan is already in Mankayan where LCMCo operates but they are not afraid from this conduit government-LCMCo move as they are gaining more support.

Meanwhile, the Ad Hoc Committee tasked to recommend solutions to the labor dispute told Lepanto management to rehire the dismissed workers, including the 19 union leaders. Lepanto was also advised not to take retaliatory actions against the workers “for the purpose of restoring industrial peace” towards both parties. The committee is composed of representatives of various sectors in Mankayan municipality. # Arthur L. Allad-iw for NORDIS

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