Federation of Free Workers
Encyclopedia
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) is a national trade union center
in the Philippines
with eight (8) trade federations (TFs) and a sectoral federation. It was founded 19 June, 1950, and has 155,000 mass members in the formal and informal sectors. 50,000 members are dues-paying and covered with collective bargaining agreements.
FFW Affiliated with ITUC
The FFW is affiliated with the former World Confederation of Labor (WCL), the new International Trade Union Confederation
,Building Workers International (BWI), Education International (EI), ITUC-Asia Pacific and the ASEAN Trade Union Council.
Atty. Jose Sonny Matula is the 4th National President of the Federation. FFW was founded by Juan Tan and Fr. Walter Hogan, S.J. with the support of young activists from the Ateneo de Manila University in the 1950s. It is inspired by Catholic Social Teachings and social democratic principles since its foundation.
23rd National Convention
Last 19 to 23 June, 2011, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) successfully held its 23rd National Convention in Baguio City with a strong resolve to "scale up social movement unionism through green jobs and decent work."
The FFW National Convention, held once every five years, gathered in the city of flowers some 200 delegates from FFW member trade unions and sectoral organizations across the country.
The highest policy making body of the labor federation also affirmed its critical support for the "Labor and Employment Plan" (LEP), which is anchored on decent work. The LEP, crafted by the Department of Labor and Employment with the help of the FFW and other social partners, is a supplement to the "Philippine Development Plan," the blueprint for inclusive growth in the country for the next five years.
New leaders elected
Meanwhile, the FFW National Convention also elected and formed its new set of officers.
Elected National President was Atty. Jose Sonny Matula, chief of the FFW Legal Center who served as National Vice President. He is also a law lecturer at the Manuel L. Quezon University - School of Law, University of Manila - College of Law and University of Perpetual Help - College of Law. He once served as commissioner of the Social Security System of the Philippines.
Erstwhile National President Atty. Allan S. Montaño, decided not to pursue his candidacy paving the way for the assumption of Matula.
"To preserve unity in the Federation of Free Workers and to build further respect, I would no longer pursue my candidacy for the position of National President," Montaño said.
Matula and the rest of the National Convention "acknowledged the sacrifice made by Montaño" and mandated the latter to build on the gains that the FFW has made over the last five years, especially at the international trade union movement level.
The National Convention conferred to Montaño the title "President Emeritus" and named him "International Secretary" of the Federation of Free Workers.
Elected President of the FFW Women's Network was Sonia Balgos, head of the Temic Semiconductors Phil. Inc. Corporation Employees Union-FFW (TSPICEU-FFW).
Elected FFW National Vice President was Rodrigo Catindig, trade union leader, educator and organizer for more than two decades. Together with the newly-elected Board Members-at-Large and Trade Federation Presidents, the new set of FFW officers will serve a term of five years.
Focus on organizing
"We will make organizing one of our primary programs; 90% of the workforce is not unionized so we consider that 90% an opportunity to organize," Matula said in a speech following his proclamation.
"We will lead trade union alliances and deepen our solidarity with other workers' groups," he added.
Matula is also bent on active tripartism.
"We will not shy away from engaging government and the business sector. FFW will remain active in participating in tripartite discussions and in making tripartite policies," he said.
FFW Supports ILO Convention for Domestic Workers
FFW actively lobbying the adoption of the ILO Convention on decent work for domestic workers. Atty Matula, who was a Philippine workers' representative to the ILC in 2010, believed that the adoption of said convention in 2011 is a historic development.
“For me, it is historic that the committee on domestic workers has decided for these standards to be adopted as a convention rather than a recommendation. A convention is legally binding while a recommendation is not obligatory, it’s just mere guidelines,” Matula said.
International Labour Standards are legal instruments drawn up by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) constituents (governments, employers and workers) setting out basic principles and rights at work. The instruments are either conventions that are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by member states, or recommendations that serve as non-binding guidelines.
The instruments go through a “double discussion” or must be tackled at 2 succeeding conferences to give conference participants time to examine the instrument and make comments on it.
The proposal for a convention supplemented by a recommendation concerning decent work for domestic workers, having made it through the first round of discussions, has been included in the agenda of the 100th ILC in 2011 for second discussion and adoption. A two-thirds majority vote of the ILO’s constituents is required for a standard to be adopted.
If the convention is adopted, ILO member-states will have to present this to their national competent authority for the enactment of relevant legislation or other action, including ratification.
After ratifying the convention, a country will be legally obliged to ensure compliance. The new convention would set out employment rights of domestic workers. It would recognize that domestic work is "work," not informal labor, and that domestic workers deserve the same employment rights as any other worker.
FFW lauds Aquino Admin for urgent repatriation of OFW
The Aquino administration was lauded by FFW for the urgent repatriation of hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) confronting a brewing civil war in Libya.
FFW disclosed “despite the short preparation and limited resources, the action of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to rescue thousands of Filipino workers in the nick of time is laudable.”
FFW said it appreciated the government regardless that the latter had received criticism from several sectors which include legislators for its apparent slow reaction and insufficient coordination when the Libyan crisis erupted.
But that image has changed over the past week, with the DFA and the DOLE taking the lead.
“Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz deserve commendation,” FFW said.
Flag carrier’s support
The Federation also expressed its gratitude towards the assistance extended by the Philippine Airlines (PAL) to take part in the rescue mission for OFWs who are even now in Libya.
Reports said PAL has spent man-hours and resources in preparing aircraft, pilots and crew as well as securing necessary over-fly and landing permits from the target pickup points identified by the DFA, so it can fly OFWs out of danger and bring them home to the Philippines.
Adopt Unemployment Insurance in SSS
FFW, likewise, urged the Aquino administration to initiate the adoption of an unemployment insurance program as part of the country’s Social Security System (SSS), amidst of the emergency repatriation of OFWs as a result of the heightened civil strife in Libya.
“The displacement of workers in Libya is a clarion call for the government to build-up funding for unemployment insurance and be more prepared for contingency of massive unavoidable workers’ displacement due to economic crises, calamities, war or other emergencies—like what is now happening in Libya.”
Unemployment insurance is not yet instituted in the nine pillars of the SSS.
Based on the joint reports of DFA and DOLE, approximately 13,000 OFWs are still staying in the North African country.
According to DOLE secretary Baldoz, there are 2,523 of more 12,000 returning OFWs from Libya have been evacuated from this strife-torn African nation and obtained their assistance amounting to Php10,000 each.
Baldoz said more OFWs applying for the one-time assistance being processed by the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) are anticipated received the given one-time financial assistance for these Filipino workers over the next few days.
“Had there been a viable unemployment insurance program already in place, our returning OFWs from Libya would have gotten more assistance, over a longer period of time,” FFW added.
FFW concluded. “It would have provided more security and given them better preparation for their next job or an alternative career as entrepreneurs.”
National trade union center
A national trade union center is a federation or confederation of trade unions in a single country. Nearly every country in the world has a national trade union center, and many have more than one. When there is more than one national center, it is often because of ideological differences—in some...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
with eight (8) trade federations (TFs) and a sectoral federation. It was founded 19 June, 1950, and has 155,000 mass members in the formal and informal sectors. 50,000 members are dues-paying and covered with collective bargaining agreements.
FFW Affiliated with ITUC
The FFW is affiliated with the former World Confederation of Labor (WCL), the new International Trade Union Confederation
International Trade Union Confederation
The International Trade Union Confederation is the world's largest trade union federation. It was formed on November 1, 2006 out of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour...
,Building Workers International (BWI), Education International (EI), ITUC-Asia Pacific and the ASEAN Trade Union Council.
Atty. Jose Sonny Matula is the 4th National President of the Federation. FFW was founded by Juan Tan and Fr. Walter Hogan, S.J. with the support of young activists from the Ateneo de Manila University in the 1950s. It is inspired by Catholic Social Teachings and social democratic principles since its foundation.
23rd National Convention
Last 19 to 23 June, 2011, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) successfully held its 23rd National Convention in Baguio City with a strong resolve to "scale up social movement unionism through green jobs and decent work."
The FFW National Convention, held once every five years, gathered in the city of flowers some 200 delegates from FFW member trade unions and sectoral organizations across the country.
The highest policy making body of the labor federation also affirmed its critical support for the "Labor and Employment Plan" (LEP), which is anchored on decent work. The LEP, crafted by the Department of Labor and Employment with the help of the FFW and other social partners, is a supplement to the "Philippine Development Plan," the blueprint for inclusive growth in the country for the next five years.
New leaders elected
Meanwhile, the FFW National Convention also elected and formed its new set of officers.
Elected National President was Atty. Jose Sonny Matula, chief of the FFW Legal Center who served as National Vice President. He is also a law lecturer at the Manuel L. Quezon University - School of Law, University of Manila - College of Law and University of Perpetual Help - College of Law. He once served as commissioner of the Social Security System of the Philippines.
Erstwhile National President Atty. Allan S. Montaño, decided not to pursue his candidacy paving the way for the assumption of Matula.
"To preserve unity in the Federation of Free Workers and to build further respect, I would no longer pursue my candidacy for the position of National President," Montaño said.
Matula and the rest of the National Convention "acknowledged the sacrifice made by Montaño" and mandated the latter to build on the gains that the FFW has made over the last five years, especially at the international trade union movement level.
The National Convention conferred to Montaño the title "President Emeritus" and named him "International Secretary" of the Federation of Free Workers.
Elected President of the FFW Women's Network was Sonia Balgos, head of the Temic Semiconductors Phil. Inc. Corporation Employees Union-FFW (TSPICEU-FFW).
Elected FFW National Vice President was Rodrigo Catindig, trade union leader, educator and organizer for more than two decades. Together with the newly-elected Board Members-at-Large and Trade Federation Presidents, the new set of FFW officers will serve a term of five years.
Focus on organizing
"We will make organizing one of our primary programs; 90% of the workforce is not unionized so we consider that 90% an opportunity to organize," Matula said in a speech following his proclamation.
"We will lead trade union alliances and deepen our solidarity with other workers' groups," he added.
Matula is also bent on active tripartism.
"We will not shy away from engaging government and the business sector. FFW will remain active in participating in tripartite discussions and in making tripartite policies," he said.
FFW Supports ILO Convention for Domestic Workers
FFW actively lobbying the adoption of the ILO Convention on decent work for domestic workers. Atty Matula, who was a Philippine workers' representative to the ILC in 2010, believed that the adoption of said convention in 2011 is a historic development.
“For me, it is historic that the committee on domestic workers has decided for these standards to be adopted as a convention rather than a recommendation. A convention is legally binding while a recommendation is not obligatory, it’s just mere guidelines,” Matula said.
International Labour Standards are legal instruments drawn up by the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) constituents (governments, employers and workers) setting out basic principles and rights at work. The instruments are either conventions that are legally binding international treaties that may be ratified by member states, or recommendations that serve as non-binding guidelines.
The instruments go through a “double discussion” or must be tackled at 2 succeeding conferences to give conference participants time to examine the instrument and make comments on it.
The proposal for a convention supplemented by a recommendation concerning decent work for domestic workers, having made it through the first round of discussions, has been included in the agenda of the 100th ILC in 2011 for second discussion and adoption. A two-thirds majority vote of the ILO’s constituents is required for a standard to be adopted.
If the convention is adopted, ILO member-states will have to present this to their national competent authority for the enactment of relevant legislation or other action, including ratification.
After ratifying the convention, a country will be legally obliged to ensure compliance. The new convention would set out employment rights of domestic workers. It would recognize that domestic work is "work," not informal labor, and that domestic workers deserve the same employment rights as any other worker.
FFW lauds Aquino Admin for urgent repatriation of OFW
The Aquino administration was lauded by FFW for the urgent repatriation of hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) confronting a brewing civil war in Libya.
FFW disclosed “despite the short preparation and limited resources, the action of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to rescue thousands of Filipino workers in the nick of time is laudable.”
FFW said it appreciated the government regardless that the latter had received criticism from several sectors which include legislators for its apparent slow reaction and insufficient coordination when the Libyan crisis erupted.
But that image has changed over the past week, with the DFA and the DOLE taking the lead.
“Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz deserve commendation,” FFW said.
Flag carrier’s support
The Federation also expressed its gratitude towards the assistance extended by the Philippine Airlines (PAL) to take part in the rescue mission for OFWs who are even now in Libya.
Reports said PAL has spent man-hours and resources in preparing aircraft, pilots and crew as well as securing necessary over-fly and landing permits from the target pickup points identified by the DFA, so it can fly OFWs out of danger and bring them home to the Philippines.
Adopt Unemployment Insurance in SSS
FFW, likewise, urged the Aquino administration to initiate the adoption of an unemployment insurance program as part of the country’s Social Security System (SSS), amidst of the emergency repatriation of OFWs as a result of the heightened civil strife in Libya.
“The displacement of workers in Libya is a clarion call for the government to build-up funding for unemployment insurance and be more prepared for contingency of massive unavoidable workers’ displacement due to economic crises, calamities, war or other emergencies—like what is now happening in Libya.”
Unemployment insurance is not yet instituted in the nine pillars of the SSS.
Based on the joint reports of DFA and DOLE, approximately 13,000 OFWs are still staying in the North African country.
According to DOLE secretary Baldoz, there are 2,523 of more 12,000 returning OFWs from Libya have been evacuated from this strife-torn African nation and obtained their assistance amounting to Php10,000 each.
Baldoz said more OFWs applying for the one-time assistance being processed by the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) are anticipated received the given one-time financial assistance for these Filipino workers over the next few days.
“Had there been a viable unemployment insurance program already in place, our returning OFWs from Libya would have gotten more assistance, over a longer period of time,” FFW added.
FFW concluded. “It would have provided more security and given them better preparation for their next job or an alternative career as entrepreneurs.”