History

The Workers’ Assistance Center, Inc. (WAC) was conceived in May 1994 and launched in November 30, 1995 as a socio-pastoral program of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Rosario, Cavite. This was in response to an initial research study made by the program and other church organizations that a growing number of workers at the Cavite Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) are denied their basic welfare and right to organize.

After its two years of existence, in 1997, WAC made a move for better services and program for the workers and it transformed itself into a non-government organization to suit the growing need of the workers to organize themselves into workers’ organizations and unions.

Over 108,000 workers in the economic zones and in the whole province of Cavite are expected to benefit from this program that will provide organizing, campaign, and alliance-building; labor education and training; research, documentation, information, and publication; and legal assistance.

To date, WAC has assisted over 10,000 workers, who mostly complained of illegal dismissal, delayed salaries, forced overtime, non-provision of their benefits, and non-remittance of their Social Security System contributions.

The Center started with three full-time staff members and has expanded to ten. It also holds extension offices at Manggahan, General Trias and Bauan, Batangas.

It has also started linking up with a network of non-government, church, labor, and other organizations both local and international, who are supportive of the workers’ cause.

Mission

Help initiate the formation of workers organizations and unions in the economic zones and in the whole province of Cavite by providing assistance in the development of their capability to strive for and attain their just and democratic interests.

Advocate for the promotion of the workers’ rights and welfare and solicit support for their cause.

Our Goals

Workers’ organizations and unions in Cavite that are capable of striving for and attaining their just and democratic interests.

Organizations and individuals who promote and support the workers’ rights and welfare and their struggle for the attainment of their democratic aspirations.

Our Vision

A society valuing the dignity of men and women, protecting the environment, respecting human rights, and enjoying equality and total human development.

Programs

Organizing, Campaign, and Alliance- Building

Formation of the Solidarity of Cavite Workers (SCW), a Cavite-wide alliance of unions and workers’ organization that promotes and upholds genuine, militant, and anti-imperialist unionism.

Formation of the Friends of the Workers, an organization of groups and individuals supportive of the workers’ cause.

Labor Education and Training

Conduct of seminars and trainings on workers’ situation, rights and welfare, women workers’ rights, trade union management, organizational development, leadership and management, education work, and other relevant topics.

Research, Documentation, Information, Publication

Conduct of timely and relevant studies on the workers’ condition; Publication of a quarterly magazine called Manggagawa Manlilikha; and Disseminate and project workers’ condition and issues in the tri-media through the media relations work.

Projects and International Solidarity Networking

Fund-generation for the programs and projects of center and build organization-to-organization and people-to-people solidarity work.

To contact, email:wacphilippines@yahoo.com.ph

Legal Assistance

Provision of free legal consultations and counsel to workers

Strategy

Assist workers initiatives in organizing themselves into genuine workers organizations and unions that will forward their demand and issues.

Provide appropriate education and training to workers that will raise their consciousness and improve their knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Provide a venue for the participation of the middle class sectors in workers ‘ issues and struggles.

Executive Board

Most Rev. Alberto Ramento, IFI
Chairperson

Loida Mantes
Vice Chairperson

Leticia Z. Boniol
Treasurer

Rev. Fr. Dominador Medina
Internal Auditor

Rev. Fr. Jose Dizon
Executive Director

Arnel Salvador
Deputy Executive Director