An Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines/Building and Wood Workers International (ALU-TUCP/BWI) presentation in the 2013 ABAN Meeting Dhaka, Bangladesh Presented by: Alan Tanjusay, Policy Advocacy Officer

Overview of presentation Who is ALU-TUCP, BWI Advocacy in asbestos: Ban asbestos Campaigns in Plans for 2014 campaign Challenges & conclusion

Associated Labor Unions -Born in Cebu City port in April Membership in 17 industries (land-based, seafarers) -Biggest labour federation in Philippines, 200 staffs -With legal, medical, dental services -Critical but constructive in promoting workers’ rights & well being (wages, workers health & safety etc.) in unilateral, bilateral, tri-partite -Responsible partner of TUCP, Nagkaisa (United), BWI, UNI, ITF, IndustriALL, -Works with ILO, WHO & others

ALU advocacy on asbestos  Began in 2004, seminars and workshops with union members working in ACMs  Partnership with BWI began in 2007  Crafted ban asbestos bill in 2007  Initiator of WHO-ILO template NPEAD in Philippines, 2009

Campaign in Political mapping 2.6 NPEAD meetings 3.Luncheon with media 4.Seminar with Nagkaisa coalition (United) 5. Workshop in Mariveles, Bataan eco zone 6. April 28 IWMD with informal workers 7. Investigation on non-action on wire gauze in public schools

8. June 28 submit letter & press confere on findings of query 9. July– reach out Angeles church with asbestos 10. August 30 DepEd replies banning wire gauzes and replacing them with ceramic center 11.September 2- re-filed ban bill in congress 12.Nov AAI6 Manila Meeting 13. Message to ACIP: Begin transition

Campaign plan for 2014 a.Build human face of the issue by organizing victim/s & families’ group b.Host 2 meetings with Nagkaisa coalition, BWI affiliates, NGOs c.Host 2 meetings with legislators and staffs d.Host 4 NPEAD meetings e.Public info campaigns -conventional & social media f. Removal of asbestos in eco- zone in Bataan

Challenges & conclusion 1.Heightening presence of asbestos lobby group targeting, influencing Government executives Legislators Media 2. Inert government bureaucracy Funding priorities Diversity of tasks 3. Dwindling union power, membership due globalization, precarious working arrangements Loosening power of unions thru membership

Thank you!