Philippines workers support wharfies
By Reihana Mohideen
MANILA — More than 100 workers demonstrated outside the Australian embassy on April 24 in support of the sacked Patrick workers and demanding their immediate reinstatement with no loss in pay and conditions.
The action was organised by the Philippine trade unions affiliated to the International Transport Federation and the militant workers' federation Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP).
Worker leaders from the textile factories of Gelmart and Temic joined leaders from the Philippine Airlines Employees Association, the Philippine National Railways Employees Union and the Association of Marine Officers and Seamen's Union.
The chant that has come to symbolise the Australian waterside workers' struggle — "MUA, here to stay" — was the main slogan of the action, chanted in English and Tagalog.
A delegation from the action went in to the embassy demanding to see an official, who was then forced to come down and receive a statement from the protestors.
The statement condemned the Australian government for its role in the dispute and stated:
"The Maritime Union of Australia has a special place in the hearts of workers in the Philippines. Every time Philippine vessels which do not follow international labor standards dock in Australian shores the MUA has taken strong actions, including the banning of the loading and unloading of ships. They have demonstrated time and again their support for us ... We will stand by them and pledge our full support."