Filipinas: KMU News Release

07.Oct.03    Análisis y Noticias

October 4, 2003

Gloria’s candidacy to be met with call for her resignation –KMU

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today applauded Vice President Teofisto Guingona for resigning from the administration political party Lakas-CMD. The labor group said Guingona’s courageous act must serve as an inspiration to the public to continue resisting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s candidacy in 2004.

“We salute VP Guingona for his principled decision to dissociate himself from Arroyo the people’s number one enemy. Like many others, he is dissatisfied with Arroyo’s failure to provide significant economic and political reforms for our country. Gloria’s greed for power will only make worse the current leadership crisis,” said KMU Chairman Elmer Labog.

“Whatever Arroyo’s real political agenda is, it will not do us any good. Workers and other poor sectors are determined to oppose Arroyo’s candidacy. We have justified reasons to demand for her urgent resignation,” Labog said. “She failed to fulfill any of her promises to the poor. Her one million jobs in both industrial and agricultural sector were plain promises. If there were housing projects, they were primarily for her photo-ops and not for poverty alleviation.”

The labor group also welcomed the declaration of business group Philippine Chamber of Commerce ad Industries (PCCI) that the Arroyo government failed in major areas of governance. “PCCI and other business groups especially Filipino entrepreneurs must withdraw their support to the present administration. Aside from making the economic conditions worse than ever, Arroyo ultimately failed to provide better conditions and employment for workers.”

“We are now getting closer to our goal of removing a corrupt and anti-poor president. The requisites are slowly falling into place widespread corruption, rupture in the ruling party, discontent in the military, withdrawal of support from business groups and unrest among the toiling masses. Now is the perfect time to seriously advance the popular clamor for Arroyo’s resignation. She does not deserve to remain as President, much more, she is not worthy to aspire for another term in office. We want her out of Malacañang as soon as possible.”

The KMU will join other progressive organizations on Monday, October 6 and 7 to watch over the senate proceedings on the Jose Pidal account and the clear involvement of the first family.
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Oct. 6, 2003

Dear friends,

Warmest greetings!

This is to reiterate to you our appeal, on behalf of the workers of Dole Philippines, regarding the survey of Dole Phils products in your respective market. Specifically, we would like to know the prices of Dole Phils products and its status in the market, i.e., how does it fare in the market. For instance, how big is its percentage share in the market or in the food industry.

As the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement will begin less than a month from now, the workers’ union in Dole Phils (AMADO KADENA - NAFLU - KMU) would like to get the data as soon as possible so that they will still have time to study it. The data will help them to substantiate their demands for additional wages and benefits.

In line with this, can we get the said data from you on or before Oct. 13, 2003?

Below you can find again a copy of the company’s products and the list of distributors in particular countries.

We hope you can accommodate this request. This will be a big help to the struggle of the workers in Dole Phils. Thank you very much in advance.

Yours in solidarity,
Tess Dioquino
KMU International Dept. Secretary

Dole Philippines products

Pineapple Solid - slice, chunks, crushed, tidbits
Pineapple Canned Juice - 46 oz, 8 oz, 6 oz, 1 gal
Pineapple Concentrate
Fresh Pineapple
Nata de Coco
Tropical Fruit Cocktail
Fruit Bowl
Juice in Pouch
Tomato Sauce - canned, pouches

Main Markets:
Processed Pineapple - North America
Fresh Pineapple - Japan/Korea
Nata de Coco - Japan
Tropical Fruit Cocktail - Asia
Fruit Bowl - North America

Asian Market, Australia & Europe

1) AUSTRALIA:

Signature Range
Foodland Associated Limited
218 Bannister Road Canningvale
Western Australia 6155
Tel.No - 08-931160000
Fax No - 08-931166013

2) NEW ZEALAND

PMA’s Products Ltd.
60 Roma Road, P.O. Box 27-480
Mt. Roskill, AuklandNew Zealand

3) KOREA

Dongwon F & B Co. Ltd
275 Yangjae-Dong Seocho-Gu
Seoul 137-130, Korea

4) HONGKONG

Jax
Konsing International Ltd.
Room 803, Tung HIP Commercial Bldg.
248 De Voeux Road, Central Hongkong

5) JAPAN

a) Itochu Corporation
Tokej Section
2-5-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku
Tokyo, Japan

b) Hagoromo

c) Kanpy

6) EUROPE

a. Paradise Island
Pina Fruit Company
Nieuwsiuisweg 190
NL 3197 KV Rotterdam/Botlek
Holland

b) ROBO Spa
Specialita Alimentari
Via 1 Maggio, 31
Stradella (pv) Italy
Tel No. (0385) 245989-90-91
Fax No. (0385) 42847

c) Carrefour
2 Avenue Du Faci Pique
Les Ulis - 91977 Courtaboeup
Cedex, France

or

Centros Comeroiales
Carrefour, S.A C/C Campezo
16-28022 Madrid

7) China
Pudong, Shanghai
P.R.O.C

8) Taipeh City
Taiwan

9) Dubai
United Arab Emirates

10) Yannawa Bangkok
Thailand

11) Wanchai
Hongkong