At least seven of the nation’s biggest labor groups joined the United Nations in pushing for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza.
Since Oct. 7, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Southern Israel, over 1,300 Israeli civilians have been murdered, and over 200 were abducted.
In retaliation, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks on Gaza, based on statements from the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry.
Here in the Philippines, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), along with the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition—Public Service Labor Confederation (PSLINK), Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progressibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Partido Manggagawa (PM), Kapatiran ng Dalawang Gulong (KAGULONG), National Federation of Labor (NFL), and United Service Filipino Workers (USFW)—said they “stand in unity with the United Nations, the Internatiomal Trade Confederation, all women and men of goodwill, including Pope Francis in their call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
The FFW and affiliates of NAGKAISA Labor Coalition joined the chorus of voices from the UN, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Global Union Federations (GUFs), and other peace advocates in “imploring for an end to the violence that has caused untold suffering.”
They added that His Holiness in the Vatican has emphasized the dire need for humanitarian aid and medical support to address the very grave situation in Gaza.
SEEK LASTING SOLUTION
“NAGKAISA firmly renounces war as a means to subjugate nations and peoples or to advance agendas that violate international humanitarian laws. It condemns the collective punishment that has befallen innocent civilians and denounces the bombings that have devastated homes, hospitals, schools, and refugee camps—tragedies that have claimed thousands of lives, including those of women, children, and valiant frontline health workers,” the labor groups said.
In a show of solidarity, NAGKAISA upheld what it called as “the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and calls upon the global community to take immediate and effective actions to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.”
The coalition seeks a just and lasting solution to the enduring conflict, a political resolution cannot be achieved amidst continued hostility and war, the labor coalition stressed.
VISAS FOR FOREIGN SPOUSES
As the Hamas-Israeli conflict raged, the FFW reiterated its call on the Philippine government to issue visas to foreign spouses of Filipinos desiring to return to the Philippines, away from the conflict zones in Gaza.
The labor group stressed the necessity of family unification, particularly for Filipinos, with Palestinian spouses, who wish to evacuate from Gaza.
Currently, family considerations impacting the decision of many to leave, with a DFA spokesperson acknowledging the limited support available to non-Filipino citizens.
Citing an initial DFA report, the FFW said that some 115 Filipinos in Gaza have expressed intentions to evacuate the war-torn area, but since many of them have Palestinian spouses, only 43 remain committed to being repatriated.
Under present immigration rules and regulations: “a Non-Quota Visa may be issued to foreign nationals who have contracted a valid marriage, recognized by Philippine laws, with a Filipino citizen.” The petitioner of the visa should be the Filipino spouse.
Gaza has been subjected to a lot of bombings and aerial attacks, following the continued attacks of Israeli forces in the disputed region.
SAFE TRANSIT
The FFW underscored the plight of these families and called for diplomatic efforts with Egypt and Israel to ensure the safe transit of Palestinian spouses, invoking Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which advocates for marriage and family rights.
Ma. Victoria Bellosillo, FFW Women Network president said, “our appeal to the government is grounded in the belief that preserving family unity or unification of Filipino citizens with their spouses is not only a humanitarian obligation but also resonates with the fundamental values of human rights and the constitutional protection to family as a social institution in the country.”
Hospitals and others institutions that house Palestinian women and children have not been spared from the attacks.
“The FFW urges the Marcos administration to act with compassion and to take decisive steps to facilitate family reunification or maintain family cohesiveness,” added Bellosillo, who is also the union president of the Central Philippine University Rank-and-File Labor Union-FFW based in Iloilo City.
