TODAY'S observance of Labor Day will be marked, as usual, by two completely opposing views on the situation of the Filipino working class.
On the one hand, no less than the President herself will undoubtedly cite in her speech government’s efforts to protect the rights and enhance the welfare of our workers. But on the other hand, we will also have protest rallies by militant labor groups and fiery speeches by labor leaders decrying the government’s utter failure to live up to its pledges to improve the lot of Filipino workers.
The actual situation of the Filipino worker, however, may lie somewhere in between what the government claims and what the militants say.
For instance, Mrs. Arroyo might say that the deployment of more Filipino workers abroad in the past year—and increased OFW remittances—are sure signs that the economy is doing well.
But the very same claim can be turned on its head by the militants, who will only have to say that more and more Filipino workers are leaving for jobs abroad because there’s none to be had here in the first place. And rising OFW remittances shouldn’t be claimed by the government as an accomplishment because, in fact, the OFWs send more to their families back home because economic and social conditions here are so bad that they must shell out more from their pockets to allow their loved ones back home to keep body and soul together.
The one question that both the government and labor unions should address on Labor Day is this: Are the lives of our workers better off now or not?
From where we stand, we can see that improved economic conditions in recent years have led to more job opportunities for the unemployed. Our wage levels have risen to levels higher than some of our Asian neighbors, but still way below those of the more affluent ones.
And haven’t you noticed that there’s diminished incidence of labor unrest, such as strikes? Maybe that’s not because working conditions are better now, but because many would rather take the first plane out of Naia to go to the Middle East or some other OFW destinations rather than get their heads bashed by company goons or overzealous antiriot police.
While globalization has given the Filipino worker more options than to sweat it out under oppressive and exploitative working conditions at home, those who choose to remain must struggle for just wages and a decent life.
The fact is that many Filipino workers still live under conditions of poverty, and the government has a long way to go to make the benefits of economic growth filter down to them.
On the one hand, no less than the President herself will undoubtedly cite in her speech government’s efforts to protect the rights and enhance the welfare of our workers. But on the other hand, we will also have protest rallies by militant labor groups and fiery speeches by labor leaders decrying the government’s utter failure to live up to its pledges to improve the lot of Filipino workers.
The actual situation of the Filipino worker, however, may lie somewhere in between what the government claims and what the militants say.
For instance, Mrs. Arroyo might say that the deployment of more Filipino workers abroad in the past year—and increased OFW remittances—are sure signs that the economy is doing well.
But the very same claim can be turned on its head by the militants, who will only have to say that more and more Filipino workers are leaving for jobs abroad because there’s none to be had here in the first place. And rising OFW remittances shouldn’t be claimed by the government as an accomplishment because, in fact, the OFWs send more to their families back home because economic and social conditions here are so bad that they must shell out more from their pockets to allow their loved ones back home to keep body and soul together.
The one question that both the government and labor unions should address on Labor Day is this: Are the lives of our workers better off now or not?
From where we stand, we can see that improved economic conditions in recent years have led to more job opportunities for the unemployed. Our wage levels have risen to levels higher than some of our Asian neighbors, but still way below those of the more affluent ones.
And haven’t you noticed that there’s diminished incidence of labor unrest, such as strikes? Maybe that’s not because working conditions are better now, but because many would rather take the first plane out of Naia to go to the Middle East or some other OFW destinations rather than get their heads bashed by company goons or overzealous antiriot police.
While globalization has given the Filipino worker more options than to sweat it out under oppressive and exploitative working conditions at home, those who choose to remain must struggle for just wages and a decent life.
The fact is that many Filipino workers still live under conditions of poverty, and the government has a long way to go to make the benefits of economic growth filter down to them.
Saluting our workforce on the occasion of Labor Day
The first of May has been associated with the commemoration of the social and economic achievements of the labor movement around the world known as International Workers Day. Following international practice, we have also celebrated Labor Day on the first of May, a declared national holiday to honor the hard work, productivity, and sacrifice of all workers in the country.
Labor Day in the Philippines was first celebrated in 1903. Organized by the Union Obrero Democratica de Filipinas (UODF), more than a hundred thousand workers marched to Malacañang on May Day that year to demand better working conditions. On May 1, 1913, Congreso Obrero de Filipinas was organized. It battled for an eight-hour working day, abolition of child labor, just labor standards for women, and liability of capitalists.
Through the years, the Philippine labor movement constantly grew and the observance of Labor Day has been sustained. In recent years, the celebrations have projected the cooperation of the tripartite sectors – government, employers, and employees.
The country has seen an improvement in industrial relations, attributed to the sustained campaign of the Department of Labor and Employment to mediate industrial conflicts and allow for the forging of consensus among the sectors, and the willingness of labor unions and management organizations to compromise, in the interest of national development.
As we commemorate Labor Day, we should be reminded of the origin of this important occasion and pay tribute to the men and women who continue to use brawn, brain, and their spirit in propelling the nation to greater progress.
Mabuhay ang manggagawang Pilipino!
The first of May has been associated with the commemoration of the social and economic achievements of the labor movement around the world known as International Workers Day. Following international practice, we have also celebrated Labor Day on the first of May, a declared national holiday to honor the hard work, productivity, and sacrifice of all workers in the country.
Labor Day in the Philippines was first celebrated in 1903. Organized by the Union Obrero Democratica de Filipinas (UODF), more than a hundred thousand workers marched to Malacañang on May Day that year to demand better working conditions. On May 1, 1913, Congreso Obrero de Filipinas was organized. It battled for an eight-hour working day, abolition of child labor, just labor standards for women, and liability of capitalists.
Through the years, the Philippine labor movement constantly grew and the observance of Labor Day has been sustained. In recent years, the celebrations have projected the cooperation of the tripartite sectors – government, employers, and employees.
The country has seen an improvement in industrial relations, attributed to the sustained campaign of the Department of Labor and Employment to mediate industrial conflicts and allow for the forging of consensus among the sectors, and the willingness of labor unions and management organizations to compromise, in the interest of national development.
As we commemorate Labor Day, we should be reminded of the origin of this important occasion and pay tribute to the men and women who continue to use brawn, brain, and their spirit in propelling the nation to greater progress.
Mabuhay ang manggagawang Pilipino!
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