AKBAYAN Solon Welcomes Filing of Homicide Case Against Hanjin Driver

AKBAYAN Representative Risa Hontiveros welcomes the resolution of Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Joy Bayona recommending the filing of Reckless Imprudence Resulting in Homicide against the truck driver of Hanjin's Korean sub-contractor who caused the death of Reynan Loquinario, a worker in the shipbuilding facility.



Loquinario died last December 28, 2008 when he fell from a truck driven recklessly by Korean national Jang Jong Dae.



"The filing of a homicide case against the Korean driver is the necessary first step in holding Hanjin responsible for the more than 12 death in theshipyard since 2006," Rep. Hontiveros said.



The AKBAYAN solon called for continued vigilance against Hanjin and its subcontractors. "Hanjin's Subic shipyard is a killing field for Filipino workers. Even if they claim that they observe safety standards, the reality of the deaths and accidents will prove otherwise."



Rep. Hontiveros also encouraged families of victims and worker-victims to immediately file charges against Hanjin and its subcontractors before the courts. "Their failure to observe occupational health and safety standards has killed and hurt so many Filipino workers. The government, particularly DOLE and SBMA, continues to fail in holding Hanjin responsible for the accidents and enforce safety standards. So the victims and families must take their case to court"



"We will continue to monitor health and safety standards in Hanjin. They cannot get off the hook by merely putting the blame for the accidents on their subcontractors."



Rep. Hontiveros reiterated the call for the immediate passage of HB 2453, an anti-contractualization legislation. "This would prevent companies from further abusing permissible subcontracting in order to evade paying workers benefits and prevent workers from acquiring regular employment status." By: Belen Figueras