Members of Congress Demand Accountability for Violence Against Workers in the Philippines

To combat persistent, violent attacks on union organizers, faith leaders, dissidents, and working people in the Philippines, Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-Penn.) and a bipartisan group of 32 members of Congress are urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to "demand accountability and oversight" regarding U.S. assistance to the nation.

The brutality of President Rodrigo Duterte's regime shocked the world on March 7 when a raid by police and the military killed nine human rights defenders, including labor activist Emanuel Asuncion and advocates for homeless and indigenous people.

CWA members have long worked side-by-side with activists in the Philippines to raise standards for call center workers and fight abuses by international corporations. "We cannot stand by while Duterte kills labor activists one by one," said CWA's Senior Director for Government Affairs and Policy Shane Larson last fall as the fight to protect Filipino workers from surveillance, arrest, and violence intensified.

CWA strongly supports Wild's efforts as well as the Philippines Human Rights Act, which would protect working people by blocking U.S. funding for the Philippines police and military—including equipment and training—until human rights conditions improve.

For more on CWA's efforts to improve workers' rights and human rights in the Philippines, click here.