UFCW 1518 Supports the Morong 43

UFCW 1518 Supports the Morong 43

In a gesture of international solidarity, Ivan Limpright, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1518 (UFCW Local 1518), says that UFCW Local 1518 and its members pledge their support of the 43 imprisoned health workers in the Philippines, also known as the Morong 43. 

Representing 26,000 people employed in a broad range of industries, including the health care industry, UFCW Local 1518 supports these 43 health workers who were illegally abducted and have been detained by Philippine security forces since February 6, 2010.

“The Morong 43 are doctors, nurses, and community health workers who were working to bring much needed health care to poor communities in their country,” says Limpright.

“While they were undergoing health skills training, military and police forces raided the training centre and subjected these health workers to various forms of physical and psychological torture, threats, and interrogations. This was all done without the presence of legal counsel, and from all accounts they were falsely charged of having participated in ‘bomb making training’ and ‘illegal possession of firearms’.”

“We represent health workers and activists fighting for job security, better wages and working conditions here in British Columbia, and it is also important we recognize the struggles and fights of those fighting for the same ideals elsewhere,” he says.

UFCW Local 1518 joins fellow supporters around the world in seeking the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43.  Upholding UFCW Local 1518’s proud history of representing health workers and working people throughout British Columbia, we are dedicated to continue making our communities a better place for all working people.