The Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW) has intensified its organizing work with the support from PSI. On February 10, 2024, AFW President Rene Capito, Vice President Ferdinand Gan and Women Organizer Jane Labongray met the officers and members of Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa NICC Doctors Hospital (SMNDH) in Naga City, a province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region, south of Luzon, Philippines.

During this first meeting, the AFW officers discussed how the union can be affiliated with the AFW, as AFW clarified its unwavering support on the labor struggles of health workers to improve their benefits and welfare, as well as fight for their rights and the many issues affecting them.

On their part, the SMNDH assured the AFW that they will eventually affiliate with them and join the federation of the biggest private health care workers’ organization (AFW) in the future.

An initial orientation on basic trade unionism was conducted on March 2, 2024, to increase awareness and basic understanding of unionism amongst the officers and members of SMNDH. A follow-up capacity building and awareness raising will be conducted on April 22, 2024, to a targeted bigger number of SMNDH union members.

AFW will issue a charter certificate to the SMNDH for the purpose of indicating the establishment of the local chapter and also for the purpose of certification election.