Labor Group Criticizes Government for Misleading ILO on Union Leader’s Death

Summary:
Local trade unions criticized the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) for allegedly misleading the International Labor Organization (ILO) by downplaying the murder of union leader Alex Dolorosa during its annual conference in Geneva. Sonny Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers, accused the government of minimizing the significance of Dolorosa’s death, who was found with 31 wounds in Bacolod City on April 24, 2023. Dole claimed Dolorosa’s killing was not related to his union activities. Critics, including Elmer Labog of Kilusang Mayo Uno, argue that the government’s portrayal of the case as an ordinary homicide undermines the serious trade union and human rights issues in the country. Parallel investigations by the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Commission on Human Rights are ongoing.