IOHSAD is inspired and excited to be working with Political Science students of UP Manila in our research and advocacy projects for the first half of 2020. We are grateful to UP Professor JM Lanuza for trusting us to be part of their National Service Training Program (NSTP) class this semester. We are looking forward to exploring more creative ways on how to involve and engage the youth in promoting occupational safety and health rights. We will be posting updates on the progress of our projects and preparations for our major events this year – Workers Memorial Day (April 28) and Kentex fire tragedy 5th anniversary (May 13).

Listen to one of the groups read the poem “Sweatshop” written by Katrina Yamzon for the more than 72 workers who died in the Kentex fire tragedy five years ago. The students read this poem last February 5 as part of the worldwide celebration of World Read Aloud Day.

Sweatshop

Bakas pa ang pawis sa sunog ng mga katawan.
Pawis ng pagkaalipin ninyong aliping sahuran.
Mababanaag sa mata niyo’y luha ng pagtangis
At pag-asang aahon sa lusak ng malaong tiniis.

Umaalingawngaw pa ang panaghoy ng himutok
Tila walang nakarinig sa sigawan ninyong natupok.
Dinig ko’y bulalas ng paghahanap at panalangin.
Nakakabingi ang katahimikan nilang nang-alipin.

Umaalingasaw pang sangsang ng usok ng kapabayaan.
Nakasusulasok ang samyo sa hangin ng kasakiman.
Nilalasap nilang naiwa’y pait ng pangungulila.
Ramdam pa ri’y hapdi’t pighati ng pagdurusa.

Nasaksihan namin ang nais ninyo naming makita
Narinig ang boses ninyong hindi nila ininda.
Naamoy tuyong pawis ng pagsasamantala
Natikma’y pagkakait ng lipunan sa inyo ng hustisya.

Magpapatuloy kami,
Hahanapin ang katarungang inyong ninanais.
Ipaparinig pang higit ang inyong pagtangis.
Ipapaamoy kabulukan ng lipunang di nagmamalasakit.
Ipapatikim sa mapagsamantala ang naipon nating galit.

#JusticeforKentexWorkers
#JusticeforKentexWorkers2020
#WorldReadAloudDay