Kilusang Mayo Uno offers its condolences to the bereaved family members, relatives, and friends of Robin Esguerra, an SM worker who died when he entered the service elevator while the wagon was on another floor on November 2, 2024. KMU demands justice for Esguerra and for all workers who died as a result of capitalists’ criminal negligence on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).
Similar to the workers in the Maco landslide in Davao de Oro; to the construction workers who were buried under tons of rubble in Rizal and impaled by steel in Taguig; to the two workers who were killed by a machine explosion at Herma Shipyard Inc. in Mariveles, Bataan; to riders who died from heat stroke in April; and to four workers who were suffocated by chemicals in a fish sauce factory in Obando, Bulacan, no capitalist was held responsible for the death of the workers.
The number and frequency of such cases is proof that the OSH Law must be amended to criminalize violations of the law, and to force capitalists to implement the required OSH standards. These cases also prove the Marcos government’s blatant disregard for workers’ safety.
An independent investigation on Robin Esguerra’s death must be launched, and those responsible be held to account. SM must immediately implement precautionary measures to ensure that this does not happen again to its workers. SM should also provide emergency assistance to Esguerra’s family as soon as possible, and assist Esguerra’s family in claiming his Employee’s Compensation Claim which is his family’s right according to the OSH Law.
In addition, it is necessary to investigate if DOLE implemented its duty to conduct an “annual spot audit” in accordance with the OSH Law which should determine if SM complied with OSH standards.
The Marcos government must be held accountable for allowing capitalists to endanger the lives and safety of workers in order to avoid costs and increase profits.
Kilusang Mayo Uno calls on all workers to unionize against the criminal negligence of greedy capitalists and the negligent government. By unionizing, we build our collective strength to assert our basic rights including our right for better working conditions!