May 2018 Issue 36

MAY DAY
News, views and analysis from Migrante Australia
SPECIAL
BATINGAW; BELL; HERALD; The Voice of Filipino Migrants in Australia

IN THIS EDITION
◆ Show of Solidarity
◆ May Day
◆ Change the Rules
◆ May Day in the Philippines
◆ International Solidarity
Under Attack
◆ A LPA, a new community-
based arts and cultural
organisation
◆ Upcoming Events
2 Issue 36

EDITORIAL

Show of Solidarity
This year’s commemoration of the so would earn the ire of foreign Philippine government offers very
International Labor Day served investors in the country. little protection for overseas Filipino
as an opportunity for the Filipino The economic crises hounding workers (OFWs) who even suffer
community in Australia to assert the Philippines, particularly the from abuse and violence abroad.
for labor rights and express soli- perpetually rising unemploy- Here in Australia, the fight for job
darity with fellow Filipinos in the ment rate, forces many Filipinos security is an uphill battle with the
Philippines. to migrate to other countries to growing power of big business,
Back home, over 150 000 look for economic opportunities. and for Filipinos, the struggle
workers joined hand in hand with Unfortunately, the Philippine is compounded with issues of
the other sectors of the society in government fails to ensure the discrimination.
the protest activities held in various safety of migrant workers, as Migrante Australia thus
parts of the country. This show of evinced in the recent case of expresses solidarity with the labor
force demonstrates the widespread Joanna Demafelis, a Filipina sector in the Philippines. In the
discontent of the Filipino labor domestic worker in Kuwait who face of socio-economic violence
sector with Duterte’s failure to was killed by her employers. The attended by the impending instal-
lift the condition of workers in the Duterte administration’s irrespon- lation of dictatorial rule through
Philippines. Despite his campaign sible intervention has worsened charter change, as well as the
promise that he would put an end the country’s diplomatic ties with worsening culture of state-spon-
to labor contractualization in the Kuwait, compromising the welfare sored terror in the country, this
Philippines, Duterte has not done of over 200 000 migrant workers forging of unity is a significant step
anything substantial to ensure in Kuwait. towards the consolidation of a truly
that laborers will get security of Migrant labor continues to necessary people’s movement to
tenure. A few months ago, he keep the crisis-ridden Philippine realize a just society for all.
even conceded that he could not economy afloat. Unfortunately,
end contractualization as doing the labor export policy of the
 Issue 36 3

May Day By Geril Lumawig

As militant steps echo throughout the busy urban streets,

serving as the guiding melody for the red flags
boasting murals of liberty
We commemorate the sole drivers of society,
those who forged the pillars of history

The workers who occupy factories, farms and offices,

schools, railways, and other premises
Whose rage is manifested through strikes,
demonstrations and revolutions
Prompted by worsening contradictions and fraudulent solutions

Concrete jungles, frozen limbs in the ghettos,

Yet the builder of royal castles and affluent boroughs,
who stacked the blocks of stones in ancient structures
and everything that followed?
Surely not the kings and pharaohs

This is the rationale for the internationale,

The third world’s agonising cry for national morale,
The struggles being waged in the cities
and the countrysides,
to relieve the plight of the toiling masses,
even with arms beside

That’s where the real fight for national liberation lies,

not in the wars of aggression
that send workers abroad to die
The forces of labour,
Whose very motion feeds
the beast, the empire, and the frozen pits
Once again struggles for a just and lasting peace

As workers around the world celebrate mayday,

may they, find solace in a future
where mayday is not broadcasted through the radio waves
Strictly as a signal of distress,
but as recognition for the owners of production,
Ever free and not oppressed

About Batingaw
Batingaw is a bimonthly newsletter expressing views, news and analysis from
Migrante Australia. An important aspect of developing this newsletter is an
intimate knowledge of and close involvement in all aspects of the Philippine and
Australian struggles for justice, democracy and fair-go.
Migrante Australia
Publisher of Contributing to Batingaw:
A member of Migrante International
Articles, photographs, cartoons, clippings, comments or a few lines are all very
welcome. All material should be sent electronically to: batingaw.migrante@
PO Box 606, Laverton, Victoria 3028 gmail.com. Readers are encouraged to contribute whatever they can by sending
Email: batingaw.migrante@gmail.com donations to the above address.
4 Issue 36

Change the Rules

By Steph Rabusa

The right to strike The 9th of May 2018 marked one industrial rules are currently
of the biggest shows of force of broken, that big business has too
is recognised all the working class in Australian much power and that trickle-
over the world as history. More than 120,000 workers down economics is not working.
marched the streets of Melbourne According to research done by the
a fundamental in response to the Change the ACTU, inequality in Australia is at
human right. Rules campaign spearheaded by a 70 year high and wage growth has
the Australian Council of Trade remained stagnant for many years.
Unions (ACTU). The lowest paid workers struggle
The campaign is based on to keep up with the cost of living
the premise that Australian and at least 4 million workers are
 Issue 36 5

in insecure work. One third of big take protected industrial action is

business did not pay any tax last during an enterprise bargaining
year and the top 1% own more than period when they negotiate for a
the bottom 70% of Australians. collective agreement. Even then,
This campaign is meant to put union members have to go through
to light the excesses of corporate hoops and layers of red tape to
power and anti-worker industrial launch strike action.
laws, especially regarding the Years and years of neoliberal,
right to strike. The right to strike trickle-down economics have
is recognised all over the world eroded the power of unions in
as a fundamental human right. Australia. It’s time the working
However, in Australia, the laws class take it back.
have made it very difficult for
workers to assert their right to
strike. The only time workers can
“I am Filipino… I am Australian… I am in Australia…
I am a worker… I was a refugee… I am a leader…
I am a volunteer… I am an actor… I am writer…
I am an advocate… I am a social worker… I am a
student… I am a partner… We are a community.”

I Am/We are…
A community theatre and performance,
for the community, by the community.

Laverton Community Hub

Function Room on 2 June 2018 at 3pm
FREE ENTRY West Chapter
6 Issue 36

May Day and the Philippines

Abridged version of the speech delivered at the Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial
Church on 6th of May 2018
By May Kotsakis

Magandang araw! Good Day! the countryside represented by the distribution of land to poor farmers
I would like to start by acknowl- National Democratic Front of the and the resumption of peace talks
edging the traditional owners of this Philippines (NDFP). between the Philippine government
land and pay respect to elders past, and the National Democratic Front
present and emerging. of the Philippines. In the early days
If Australia is called the land Down Human rights defenders of his presidency, it looked like he
Under, my country, the Philippines was keeping true to his promises. He
is called the Pearl of the Orient Seas are being harassed and appointed several known activists to
– because of its natural beauty, rich attacked. The Duterte some key government positions to
bio-diversity and abundant natural government listed more effect implementation of some of his
resources. Our nation’s mineral promises but later on, his appointees
resource assets are valued at around than 600 human rights were not confirmed. The peace talks
A$1.32 trillion, and those remain advocates as terrorists with the NDFP was terminated before
largely untapped. the second substantive agenda – the
We are a country of over 7,100
practically giving Comprehensive Agreement on Social
islands clustered into 3 main a blanket order for and Economic Reforms - was fully
island groups – Luzon, Visayas and their harassment and discussed.
Mindanao – and a total land area of Duterte is even expanding the
300,000 square kilometres. With the killings. neoliberal policies of the past govern-
current population at around 103.32 ments. He and his cronies continue
million, it is predicted that by end of to clear his government of oppositions
December 2018, it will reach 107.2 Current political and including interfering in the justice
million. In Australia, our total land system by impeaching justices who
area of 7.692 million square kilometres
economic situation are critical of his policies.
holds a population of 24.13 million Duterte won the 2016 election and Human rights violation is
based on the 2016 census. gained popular support due to his widespread. Duterte’s war on drugs
We have a Presidential form of pro-poor pronouncements and promise has led to more than 13,000 killings
government – just like the United of change. Among his promises of mostly poor Filipinos. The recent
States. Elections are usually popularity were independent foreign policy, killings of 71 years old Fr Tito Paez
contests where most people vote end of labour contractualisation, after he helped facilitate the release of a
“personalities” (actors and actresses,
models and boxers) over “principles”.
Elections are also fought using gold,
guns and goons – the 3Gs.
We are a peace-loving, beautiful,
hospitable, hardworking and resilient
people. But we are also warriors with
a long history of fighting oppression,
colonisation, tyranny, fascism and
dictatorship.
There are currently two govern-
ments in the Philippines – the
Manila government run by the
reactionary Duterte regime and
the revolutionary government in
 Issue 36 7

political prisoner and Fr Mark Ventura

(who - just last week - was gunned
down in the presence of children and
the church choir) demonstrate the
brutality of Duterte’s regime. Both Fr
Ventura and Fr Paez were anti-mining
activists and advocates for the rights
and welfare of the indigenous Filipinos.
Human rights defenders are being
harassed and attacked. The Duterte
government listed more than 600
human rights advocates as terrorists
practically giving a blanket order for
their harassment and killings.
Duterte and his cronies aim to hang
on to power. They are pushing for a
Charter change (Cha-cha) to change
the Philippine constitution. The 5 is P967.00 ($26.00). Even if both totalling 38 hrs. Machine operators
proposed charter change will enable parents are working, the total wage of produced for each machine a total of
Duterte and his cronies to extend their both will still be short to provide for 76 production hours a week and the
tenure in government and will remove the family and with an additional cost employer only pays each employee
the protection of local business from for house help or child care. ordinary time rate. Sometimes, the
foreign control. These are only a few Contractualisation & labour flexibi- employee is asked to come another
of the many changes in the proposed lisation is rampant. With the absence of day to work a shift, with no pay.
charter change. policy to stop this practice, employers It is not easy to organise workers in
are employing various techniques such the Philippines nor to form a workers
Workers’ condition & as sacking permanent employees and union although unionism is legal and
hiring contractual ones, company getting registered as a union is easy.
workers’ organising re-structuring to change the status The government serves the interest
In any capitalist country like Australia, of the employees or establishing its of the capitalists especially the big
the workers are the first to get the brunt own union to end the CBA and change foreign capitalists and sees to it that
of economic crisis, get blamed for the their hiring system. unions will be ineffective and if strong,
slow progress and financial difficulty Labour flexibilisation includes is harassed and intimidated and or
and receive just the crumbs that fall compressed work-week and multi- coerce. Workers forming a group
from the capitalist pockets. In the tasking. With this, a total production or a union are terminated once the
Philippines, being a semi feudal and of 76 hours can be achieved per line employer found out about it.
semi colonial country, the workers’ with only ordinary pay. This is also Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) or
condition is even worst. being practiced here in Australia by May First Movement organise workers
There are 10.9 million jobless employers especially in process work. through solid organising. Part of
Filipinos. Unemployment has increased Each worker will work for only 3 days their organising work is organising
from 15.7 percent in December 2017 per week from 12 to 14 hours per day the people inside the community.
to 23.9 percent in March 2018. This Organisers work even after hours and
figure does not include the more than meet workers after work. Part of the
1.7 million Filipinos that leave the discussion and workers’ education is
country every year or an average of In any capitalist the Course on “Genuine, Militant and
4,690 daily to work overseas. There are country like Australia, Anti-imperialist Unionism”.
now more than 10 million Filipinos KMU organisers discuss the
working in other countries including
the workers are the principle of unionism and clarifies the
here in Australia. first to get the brunt realities of the contradiction between
The minimum daily wage is P512.00 of economic crisis, get the capital and wages and between
per day (about $14.00 per day) in the capitalist and the workers. This
the National Capital Region. The blamed for the slow contradiction will never be effaced.
actual value or the buying ability progress and financial Every increase in wages is decreased
of this amount is worth P360.00 difficulty. in profit. The organiser ensure that
(about $10.00). The supposed family every union member understand
living wage (FLW) for a family of this and that they are ready for the
8 Issue 36

contradiction they are facing and the to regional areas and field trips to In solidarity with
possible retaliation of the capitalist. worksites where delegates especially the
Filipino workers,
The workers are made to understand international delegates hear organising
that it is not easy to win, that every experience, stories and the workers I enjoin you to:
benefit, right and entitlement of the struggles. Sharing is done mostly in Write a short email to President
workers have to be fought for. picket lines. Duterte, calling on his government
Militant standpoint for a united The biggest event on May Day cele- to respect workers’ rights, increase
action is the only way. The workers bration is the May Day march and the minimum wage to P750 per day,
cannot depend on someone else rally. Last Tuesday, the May Day rally end contractualisation, stop large-scale
but their own united strength. The was a historical first with about 60,000 mining projects on ancestral domains,
workers cannot depend on any political in Metro Manila and 150,000 people stop the ‘drug war’ slaughter, end
party or legal recourse. They need to nationwide marched – a very strong harassment and attacks on activists,
understand and be well versed of the show of the workers’ growing frustra- and re-start the peace talks with the
local and national issue so they know tion, disappointment and dissatisfac- NDFP.
where they stand. tion over President Duterte’s failure to
The union struggle is not enough to fulfil his promises. Rival labour feder- Long live workers’ solidarity!
offer any meaningful change on the ations across the political spectrum
conditions of labour. Whatever success marched together. Maraming salamat! Thank you!
in their struggle or any reform in the
labour policy can easily be overturned
later. We see this happens so many
times here in Australia. One example
is the penalty rates for overtime work.
The workers need to unite with
other exploited sectors in our society
and struggle for a genuine change
and for a true national democracy.
Without doing this, all those hard-won
entitlements, benefits and workers’
rights will one by one disappear
in time.

May Day in the

Philippines
Filipino workers see the May Day
event as the yearly culmination and
celebration of the workers’ struggle.
It is a day to show their unity with
the workers and the exploited people
in the whole world. May Day in the
Philippines is not just a celebration
but a day of big protests in various
parts of the country against the
exploitation of workers and for a
better pay, better working conditions
and for the recognition of workers’
rights.
KMU organises the biggest workers’
gathering as part of the May Day cele-
bration. It includes an international
gathering (ISA) where delegates from
different regions in the Philippines and
delegates from other countries join to
share their experiences and discuss
current workers’ issues, exposure tours
 In the future, ALPA seeks to expand its partnership with progressive organisat
membership of artists that are pro-people and critical to the current anti-peop
Issue 36 9
If you would like to get more information about ALPA, visit our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ALPAMELBOURNE/

ALPA, a new community-based arts or send us an email: alpamelb@gmail.com.

and cultural organisation

By Reagan Maiquez

Advance League of Peoples’ Artist (ALPA) has been In the future, ALPA seeks to expand its partnership
recently established as a new peoples’ organisation. with progressive organisations and membership of
It aims to use creative and cultural work in examining artists that are pro-people and critical of the current
social issues in the Philippines and Australia. anti-people policies.
Advance League of Peoples’ Artists (Melbourne) If you would like to get more information about
was established to invigorate, create, and educate the ALPA, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.
public on social and cultural issues through the vehicle com/ALPAMELBOURNE/ or send us an email:
of art and creativity. alpamelb@gmail.com.
In this digital age, we strive to enhance creative skills
as a community and for the community, especially
in Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse
environment.
ALPA envisions harnessing the power of culture,
creativity, and art in examining and responding to the
contemporary challenges faced by the local commu-
nities on a global and cosmopolitan setting.
ALPA currently works with ethnic communities and
mass organisations in creating community theatre in
the Western region of Metropolitan Melbourne.

ALPA and Community and economic migrants as they settle, ALPA and May Day
Theatre at Melbourne’s struggle, and live in Australia. ALPA’s
Cultural Night
current members include established
West theatre and film directors, scholars, Last 3rd of May 2018, ALPA was invited
ALPA is currently working with student-artists, and writers. The photo to perform at the Annual May Day
various community organisations, below also shows the rehearsal of the Cultural Night at Victorian Trades
including Migrante Melbourne Filipino group that will eventually be Hall. It was a night full of inspiring
(West Chapter), Australian Karen integrated with the performances from updates on the recent political and
Cultural Association Inc., African the Karen and African storytelling, social situations around the world given
Family Services, and Australia Asia dances, and drumming on the 2nd of by leaders from various community
Performance Community Inc., in June 2018 at Laverton Hub. Join us groups and unions. ALPA performed
delivering a community theatre as we celebrate diversity, inclusivity, two poetries about the significance
project at the City of Wyndham in identity and connection in this project of May Day on the lives of Filipinos
Melbourne’s outer West. Entitled, I as well as future creative endeavours and Filipino-Australians and inter-
am/We are, this project aims to use like community film workshops and preted Danum by Saliddumay, a
theatre to discuss and examine the creative development projects by this song about indigenous struggles in
lives of migrants, refugees, partner group in the coming years. the Philippines beautifully metaphor-
ised through the force of water. ALPA
will continue to promote cultural and
artistic expression that connects our
struggles and gains as communities
under pressure.
10 Issue 36

International solidarity
under attack By Stu Harrison

When I met Catholic

Missionary Sister Patricia
Fox recently at a coffee shop
in Quezon City, we were
all wondering what would
happen next.
A shadow of doubt had been
placed over the numerous
human rights activists from
around the world who had
traveled to the Philippines to
express solidarity and learn.
Should we march? What
precautions should we take?
After all, President Rodrigo
Duterte’s claimed personal
intervention to issue 71-year
old Sr. Fox a deportation order
after twenty-seven years in the
country was a warning to all non-Fil- more are victims of his so-called still seemed in shock at the news she
ipino citizens: international solidarity drug war. was being deported. She has been in
was a crime that would be punished. As a response to ongoing human the country so long as to feel more at
The deportation order followed the rights concerns, there has been a home there than her native Australia.
precedent set by now detained Senator long history of Australians showing This is reflected in the support she has
Leila DeLima, under the previous solidarity with the Filipino progressive received since the deportation order
Noynoy Aquino administration, who movement. Perhaps no one personifies was issued.
issued an operations order outlawing this spirit more than Fox. Fox told of her great surprise when
participation of foreigners in rallies Fox had been a Philippine solidarity many people visited her during her
and other political activities. activist since the late 1970s when detention and after. As she told me,
Duterte is simply using the tools her congregation took up the issue “they clearly don’t think I’m walking
of a broken system to push his own of human rights under the Marcos all over the Philippines”.
tyrannical agenda. regime and Australia’s ongoing support Bae Bibyaon, known for her
While Fox will be deported for for such violations. She was an active leadership of the Lumad indigenous
involvement in a international human member of Philippine Australia struggle in Mindanao, said Duterte’s
rights mission, Australian big business Solidarity Group throughout the decision was hypocritical considering
is being welcomed in their aim to 80s before deciding to move to the the real foreign destruction happening
exploit cheap labour and resources Philippines full-time since the early across her territories.
of Mindanao. 90s. Since then, she has played an “These mining and logging
Far from his election promises invaluable role supporting peasant companies have a long list of human
of building a just peace, Duterte is and indigenous struggles. For Fox rights violations with our people but
consolidating power, punishing dissent and other progressive religious leaders they can still freely monopolized our
and promoting cronyism of local and in the Philippines, supporting the land, they are even secured with the
foreign big business. His claim that he people’s struggle for justice is central government’s armed forces,” she said.
never jailed a single critic is refuted by to their social Catholic teachings. To Similarly, Pasaka Confederation of
human rights group Karapatan who not act in the face of injustice would Lumad Organizations in Southern
said 173 activists have been detained be a crime against their beliefs. Mindanao (PASAKA) secretary
under his administration. Thousands It is perhaps no surprise that Fox general Jong Monzon stated, “We are
 Issue 36 11

saddened on Sr. Pat’s deportation. Back in Australia, 500 religious, As Fox said, “Whatever happens,
We can clearly see that this regime political, labor and academic leaders I will be forever grateful to all those
has instilled fear to its people under have so far signed a petition initiated by Filipinos that I call my friends and for
Martial Law and we are more worried Movement Against Tyranny Australia. all those from both church and sectors
to know that this government can do One thing is clear. Whatever who have supported me through this
anything not just to its people but also happens, the struggle for human rights time. I may lose my right to be in the
to those who are like Sr. Pat that has and social justice will continue both Philippines, but I can never lose the
been on our side. We will never forget in the Philippines and Australia. learnings and beautiful memories.”
what Sr. Pat has done for us... She is
more than a Filipino.”
The National Churches Council of
the Philippines said, “The detention
of Sister Patricia Fox speaks loud and
clear of the powers that be, of their
aim to suppress the truth and cast
out those who dare tell it. With the
increasing number of human rights
violations, her detention is an indirect
admission of guilt by this government,
which threatens and persecutes human
rights advocates who witness the
suffering of and show solidarity with
the vulnerable.”
Even the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
has called for a reconsideration of the
deportation order following the wide
outcry against the decision.
12 Issue 36

Important Dates and Upcoming Events

6 May 2018 16 June 2018
May Day march, rally and concert Migrate Melbourne’s “Tipanan”
“DEFEND WORKERS’ RIGHTS; DEMAND THE DANCE, MEET FRIENDS, SHARE & ENJOY A
RIGHT TO STRIKE!” FAMILY NIGHT
12.00 noon, assembly at the corner of Lygon and SUPPORT DISTRESSED OVERSEAS WORKERS
Victoria Streets, Carlton, Victoria 6.00 pm, Koornang Uniting Church hall,
117 Murrumbeena Rd, Murrumbeena, Victoria.
9 May 2018
“Change the Rules” Rally in Melbourne 6 October 2018
FIGHT FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS, SAFE Gala Dinner Dance
WORKING CONDITION, SECURITY IN JOB, FUND RAISING EVENT FOR THE CAMPAIGN
LIVING WAGE & OTHER ENTITLEMENTS – AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
CHANGE THE RULES! BY PARTNER MIGRANTS ADVOCATES
10.00 am assembly at the corner of Lygon and Victoria NETWORK
Streets, Carlton, Victoria 6.00 pm, Grand Star Reception, 499 Grieve Parade,
Altona North, Victoria
18 May 2018
Public meeting on the Philippines November 2018
“MARAWI SEIGE, MARTIAL LAW IN International Migrant Alliance (IMA) 4th General
MINDANAO, HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION Assembly
DUTERTE’S WAR ON DRUGS, STRUGGLE OF “END MODERN DAY SLAVERY, TRAFFICKING
THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. AND NEOLIBERAL ATTACKS ON MIGRANTS
6.30 pm, Meeting Room 1, Victorian Tradeshall, AND FAMILIES”
Victoria Mexico, Latin America
(more details will be announced later)
2 June 2018
“I am / We are” Multicultural Performance 23 – 26 June 2019
LISTEN & WATCH A STORYTELLING International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS)
THROUGH THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE BY 6th International Assembly (6thIA)
FILIPINO, KAREN & AFRICAN COMMUNITY. “WIN A BRIGHT SOCIALIST FUTURE FOR
3.00 pm, Laverton Community Hub Function Room, HUMANITY! UNITE THE PEOPLE TO FIGHT
Cnr Railway Ave, & Crown St, Laverton, Victoria AND END IMPERIALIST WAR, RACISM AND
FASCISM!”
Hong Kong (more details will be announced later)

GET INVOLVED!
Name: ______________________________________
Address: ______________________________________ Migrante Australia is an alliance of voluntary community
______________________________________ organisation of Filipino and Filipino-Australian migrants
and workers promoting and upholding their welfare, human
Tel: ______________________________________ rights and workers’ rights. It also deepens members’
Email: ______________________________________ awareness of the root reasons of the Filipino diaspora to
over 200 countries and settlement issues in their adopted
I would like to: homelands.

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