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Why are Filipino transport workers striking March 19?
Since the start of the US-Israel attacks on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have increased dramatically. In the past two weeks in the Philippines, diesel prices rose by more than P40 (0.67 USD) per liter while gasoline increased by more than P30 (0.50 USD) per liter.
Filipino transport workers, already on a paltry daily income, now face a further plunge into poverty with higher prices of oil. Farmers and fisherfolk in the country are also heavily affected by the oil price surge, as they rely on diesel for irrigation, farm machinery, transport and fishing operations. Workers are striking to demand an appropriate response from the Philippine government and to oppose the US-Israeli war on Iran.
What are the demands and calls of the transport workers?
Transport workers led by PISTON and alongside the national democratic alliance, BAYAN, are demanding the immediate rollback of oil prices, the removal of excise tax and VAT on oil products, the distribution of subsidies to affected sectors, including the urban poor, and a living wage for workers.
Aside from demanding urgent economic relief, workers are calling for the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law. In the past three decades, this law was used by the oil cartel to dictate and manipulate oil prices since the government has surrendered its power to regulate this industry with such a strategic impact on the domestic economy.
How is the US-Israeli war on Iran impacting oil prices?
With every new US-Israeli strike against Iran, Filipino workers and farmers suffer.
The Philippines imports almost 100% of its crude oil needs, and 96% of the country’s crude oil imports come from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. Some 30-40% of Philippine oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which has now closed due to US-Israeli aggression against Iran. The flow of oil to the Philippines and other countries in the region is now greatly limited, resulting in the inflation of oil prices. It is crucial to point out that due to the Oil Deregulation Law, oil companies can automatically and fully pass on the burden of oil price shocks to consumers, without any meaningful or effective government intervention.
In only a few weeks, US-Israeli aggression against Iran has already resulted in massive impacts on people in the Philippines and around the world. Until the war stops, this is set to cause massive problems for the Filipino people and other working and oppressed peoples.
What can the international community do to support?
The cost of US and Israeli aggression should not be paid by oppressed and working people in the Philippines and across the world. This strike serves as an inspiration and contribution to the international struggle of working people against US aggression and economic exploitation. Let us gather the broadest support!
ICHRP calls on members and allies to release solidarity statements in support of the strike, to echo the calls of transit workers across the world.
We are also collecting donations to support the various costs of the strike effort.
