ADB Governors Meeting - PSI --- report from Bobet Corral

Our GUFs (Global Union Federation)  Delegation was barred from entry during a "silent protest" Friday (May 4) at the opening of the Governors’ Annual Meeting of the ADB against the financial institution’s continued inaction to our calls to protect and promote workers’ rights in all its projects.

The silent protest by the GUF delegates from India, Indonesia, Singapore, Mongolia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Nepal, Japan, Philippines and Cambodia is a peaceful and nonviolent way of urging the ADB to “walk the talk” when it comes to the interests of the organized labor sector.Wearing head bands and carrying placards with messages such as “ADB: Respect workers’ rights”, “ADB, promote pro-poor, pro-worker growth” and “Fight poverty, protect our dignity”, around 70 GUF delegates silently trooped in front of the Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC) just as the Governors’ Annual Meeting was about to officially start.

Security was tight at the PICC venue as the President of the Philippines ("P-Noy" Aquino) would be at the opening to give his welcoming remarks to ADB delegates.The global unions delegation will write to ADB Pres. Kuroda to protest. See some press coverage below:

Workers' staging "silent protest" barred from entry at ADB summit

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/118770/silent-protest-vs-sa-adb-summit-hinarang-ng-mga-pulis

Protest outside ADB meet

http://www.hindustantimes.com/photos-news/Photos-Business/protestsadbank/Article4-850604.aspx

[also see PSI-APRO facebook page for photos & more info http://www.facebook.com/groups/180086852067632/ ]

Meanwhile, Filipino trade unionists under the coalition "Nagkaisa" also staged a rally outside the ADB meeting, with slogan "ADB + P-Noy's PPP = job loss, higher costs."

Regards,

Bobet Corral