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Taiwan’s minimum wage announcement unjust and a charade, say migrant workers

The 9.09 percent minimum wage hike announced yesterday by Premier Chang Chun-hsiung is unjust and a charade for migrant workers. As the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) virtually offsets the increase by raising the monthly board and lodging fees of migrants to 25% or from NT$4,000 ?V NT$5,000 and by not including the 45% household service workers in the wage hike. So how could these measures protect the livelihood or income of foreign workers and increase their purchasing power, which was the basis of the Premier for the wage hike.
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Big banana behind Davao bet’s defeat?


Nenita Orcullo, who ran for councilor in the third district, angered Davao's banana companies. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

By Germelina A. Lacorte |

Nenita Orcullo says because of her stand against the aerial spraying of pesticides, multinational banana companies launched a "massive campaign," which included intimidating workers in banana plantations, to make sure that she would be defeated in the May 14 elections. Orcullo, who authored the law that will implement the ban this month, said what happened to her sends a strong message to the city's officials that they, too, can be destroyed by the banana industry.

Related stories: Pilot says drift of aerial-sprayed pesticides can?t be controlled | Witness tearfully testifies at aerial spraying hearings

Continue ReadingBig banana behind Davao bet’s defeat?

Pilot says drift of aerial-sprayed pesticides can’t be controlled

Below is a press release sent by IDIS, a environmental group in Davao that is monitoring the marathon hearings on the injunction being sought by the banana companies against aerial spraying:

DAVAO CITY — A retired commercial airline pilot whose background includes waste management and pollution control testified Wednesday that even Deferential Global Positioning System-equipped airplanes used in aerial spraying doesn?t stop drift from reaching non-target areas.
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Continue ReadingPilot says drift of aerial-sprayed pesticides can’t be controlled

Witness tearfully testifies at aerial spraying hearings

Below is a press release sent by IDIS, a environemntal group in Davao that is monitoring the marathon hearings on the injunction being sought by the banana companies against aerial spraying:

DAVAO CITY — A witness of the city government in the ongoing battle over aerial spraying against the big banana aggrupation Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) twice broke into tears in Tuesday?s hearing at the regional trial court branch 17.

Cecelia Moran, a resident of barangay Dacudao in Calinan District, became emotional when she was being questioned by presiding Judge Renato Fuentes himself before the hearing adjourned.
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Bayan Muna leader cried ‘Pulis! Pulis!’

The human-rights group Karapatan details the abduction of Gilbert Rey Cardino, Bayan Muna's coordinator in the SOCSKSARGEN area. "Ayon sa testigo na driver ng tricycle na sinasakyan ni Jing na si Phinney Tolentino, muntik na niyang mabundol ang L-300 van sa biglang pagharang nito sa daanan. Nagsibabaan ang limang lalaki na halos naka-barber's cut ang gupit o mukhang mga military. Ang isa ay nakablack long sleeve shirt na may 'police' sa likod na nakasulat. Hinatak palabas ng tricycle si Jing ng apat na lalaki, dalawa sa magkabilang balikat at dalawa sa magkabilang paa." | Earlier story: Bayan Muna leader in Koronadal abducted

Continue ReadingBayan Muna leader cried ‘Pulis! Pulis!’