We in the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) extend our warmest support to the employees of Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA), led by the BACIWA Employees Union.
The workers have been conducting protests since January 29 in front of the Central Office of the Civil Service Commission. They denounced the illegal termination of BACIWA employees who opposed the corporate capture of the water district.
In 2020, BACIWA entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Prime Water Inc owned by the Villar family, betraying the employees. Those who opposed this move experienced retaliatory actions and were terminated from their jobs.
Their call to the CSC: Resolve the case that has been languishing in their office!
For more than three years, these employees have been deprived of their right to livelihood. They won in their appeal at the Region 6 Office of the CSC. However, the BACIWA Management took the case to the CSC Central Office where it has been pending until now.
The union asserts, “justice delayed, justice denied!”
We, at KMU, support their call for a swift resolution! We also support their plea not to surrender essential public services to big corporations.