CPP-NPA-NDF's Labor Sector Operations

Above are the CPP-NPA-NDF revolutionary labor movement and the trade or labor unions and how they are used by the CPP-NPA-NDF to support their armed struggle in the countryside in order to advance their national democratic revolution (NDR). This is part of the lecture presentation on “Rebolusyonaryong Kilusang Masa sa Kalunsuran” recovered in an encounter between government forces and the NPA in Milagros, Masbate in November 2019.  

As part of their operations both inside and outside the law, the CPP’s organizers and activists work in progressive organizations targeting specific sectors. In the labor sector, a major aboveground organization is the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), which has created for itself an image of a champion for the rights of the working class.

But, as Liwanag et al. (2009) explored in their book, the KMU’s principal objective is to “organize and orchestrate legal and open mass struggles among workers through demonstrations, mass actions and nationwide strikes using regional and national political issues”. By infiltrating local and regional labor unions, they turn the members into radicalized and militant workers. The aim is to wreak havoc on the economy and impede growth through work stoppages and walkouts of laborers. In 2019, the issue of labor contractualization dominated news headlines, with various labor groups – including those under the banner of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) – protesting unfair labor practices through factory strikes and worker demonstrations.

According to Liwanag et al (2009), the general objectives of the CPP in the labor sector are as follows:

1. Weaken the economic base of the country through economic and political crises that would create the triggering conditions for a revolution
   
2. Weaken regional economic centers by crippling major industries
   
3. Paralyze operations of agro-industrial sectors to stir dissatisfaction among the working class
   
4. Use collective bargaining agreements to challenge economic authorities
   
5. Arouse, organize and mobilize related activities to exploit legitimate issues and stir unrest 
   
   
   
   --THE WARS WITHIN (2020 / Copy&Share)