The management takeover of the workers’ union last February 13, 2010 – wherein the management-created UR Dole headed by Francis Gales, orchestrated an illegal “general assembly,” impeached the duly-elected officials of AK-NAFLU-KMU, and replaced the latter with officials from UR Dole – earned vehement protests from throughout the country and the world. Because the move is patently illegal, even the government’s Department of Labor and Employment was forced to call it as such and released a status quo order that nullifies the bogus general assembly and the “impeachment.”  Drunk with arrogance from their seeming invincibility, the Dole Philippines management refused to heed the order.

The CCC partners widely with similar organizations in the United States and outside of Europe, such as SweatFree Communities and the International Labor Rights Forum.

In the midst of so many other serious international issues taking prime space on television screens and in newspapers, it is encouraging to see attention being given to human rights issues that affect millions of lives in many countries around the world.

This noteworthy recognition of Marieke’s work heralds the changes in global consciousness that we can hope 2011 will yield.