31 July 1923 to 12 January 2016
The ITF is saddened by the death of Democrito T. Mendoza, one of the Philippines’ leading trade unionists.
Democrito Mendoza was one of the founders of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) in 1954 and its national president, before becoming chair in 2012. He was one of the pillars of the trade union movement, spending his professional life protecting workers.
Among Democrito’s many major achievements, he became founding leader of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) when it was formed in 1975. The TUCP is the country's biggest national labour centre and is affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
He represented Filipino workers in several international forums – as a member of the governing body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) from 1975 to 1996; as board member of the International Confederation of Trade Unions (now the ITUC) from 1975 to 1983 and the ILO International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training in Turin, Italy, from 1968 to 1996; and as head of the Philippine delegation or a member of the workers’ group at ILO annual conferences from 1961 to 2005.
As a World War II veteran, Democrito was awarded the Gold Cross for conspicuous and gallantry in action in Cebu during the Philippine liberation campaign in 1945.
ITF general secretary Steve Cotton said: “We are very sad to hear this news.
"Democrito was a courageous man who dedicated his life to serving the working people of the Philippines. He will be sadly missed but his powerful legacy means that his work will continue."
We invite you to share your memories of Democrito via Post your comments, above.
Messages of sympathy for the family of Democrito Mendoza can be sent through the ALU at mail@alu.org.ph.