House of Representatives Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III has vowed to continue pushing for workers’ welfare, admitting that a lot of challenges and problems in workplaces still plague Filipino laborers.
In his Labor Day message, Dy said that he knows that workers still complain about low salaries and benefits, along with the lack of secure tenure, which is why the House will seek better conditions for laborers.
‘We know that there our workers still face a lot of challenges – from complaints about salaries and benefits up to the security of tenure and good conditions inside workplaces,’ Dy said in Filipino.
‘That’s why we are in the House of Representatives, we will continue to uphold the welfare of Filipino workers. We will continue to push for bills and measures that would strengthen the protection, opportunity, and dignity given to workers,’ he added.
According to Dy, the government should protect workers as it is through their efforts that the nation keeps moving.
‘In celebrating Labor Day, we acknowledge the important role of workers in moving our economy and shaping the country’s future. You are the strength and life of our country – you are the true lifeblood of our nation,’ Dy added.
‘It is through your hard work, efforts, and sacrifice that the country’s industries continue to move forward […] Your hard work keeps our nation moving. It is only right that the government works just as hard to protect your welfare and to support your aspirations.’
Several groups marked Labor Day with protests, reiterating their call for a P1,200 wage hike amid rising prices driven by internal and external shocks.
Friday marks the 124th Labor Day celebration in the Philippines, yet labor groups said workers continue to grapple with the labor crisis, which has been further intensified by the war in the Middle East.
‘Since the conflict in West Asia erupted, the United States and its allies have dragged workers and people in the Philippines and around the world into a quicksand of severe hunger, poverty, and suffering,’ Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said in a statement.
According to KMU, the Marcos administration has been tight-lipped and against workers – being useless in shielding the people from the impact of the war.
‘The fight must continue for an end to war, the attainment of a living wage of P1,200 nationwide, lowering the prices of goods and removing [value added tax] (VAT) and excise taxes, ensuring regular, decent, and safe jobs, respecting the right to unionize and organize, and putting a stop to the repression of the people,’ the labor group added,’ the labor group added.
In the House, pro-worker bills have been filed but have not yet been addressed.
Last March, Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando questioned the House’s inability to pass the proposed national minimum wage bill before Congress went on a recess, noting that the measure would have helped workers as the economy takes a hit due to the Middle East crisis.
San Fernando said he and over 1,600 workers condemn the ‘dead air’ on House Bill No. 8081 or the proposed National Minimum Wage Act, despite Dy and the House leadership vowing to prioritize this.
Congress adjourned its session last March 19 without tackling the said measure. Session will resume by May 4.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
And instead of addressing the measure, the lawmaker said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opted to thumb down fare hikes requests from public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators and other reliefs – measures which he said are merely stop-gap initiatives that do not significantly address the lack of purchasing power.