Naga City, Cebu – Hopes for a salary increase for Filipino workers on Labor Day have been dashed after President Aquino mentioned nothing about such incentive in his Labor Day speech.
Instead, the President highlighted the administration’s efforts in promoting the welfare of the labor sector, from generating job opportunities, extending skills training program to promoting industrial peace between workers and management.
NO WAGE HIKE – Activists and militant workers hold a rally on Chino Roces (Mendiola) Bridge in Manila to call on President Aquino to grant immediate wage increase due to the rising cost of living as part of the Labor Day celebrations yesterday. However, the President did not mention wage increases during his Labor Day speech in Cebu. (EPA)
Aquino, who marked Labor Day for the first time in Cebu, then seized the opportunity to encourage the public to vote for the right leaders in next year’s elections to sustain these gains in the labor sector.
“We are striving to uphold this kind of stability to sustain the cycle of a growing economy and inclusive growth in the country. Now that we are enjoying the positive results of our efforts, it is in our hands to enjoy every opportunity, it is in our hands how we will expand this, it is in our hands if we will enrich these positive changes so the fruits will be enjoyed by the next generation],” Aquino said during the inauguration of a cement plant expansion project in Naga City, Cebu.
“If we will continue to tread the straight path, if we will choose the right leaders in the next elections, we can certainly sustain and even surpass our achievements,” he added.
Prior to visiting the cement plant in Naga City, the President attended the JobStart Philippines forum to check the employment bridging project initiated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Mandaue City. He also visited a new facility of the University of Cebu Medical Center in the same place.
The President, in his Labor Day speech, also took pride that there has been lesser labor disputes under his administration, compared to the previous administration.
He said there were only 12 labor strikes recorded since 2010, compared to the 259 strikes during the past government. In 2013, only one union launched a strike, the lowest number in the history of DOLe, Aquino added. “Matibay itong pruweba sa kahusayan ni Sec. Linda Baldoz [This is proof of the competence of Sec. Linda Baldoz],” Aquino said.
He said the Department of Labor Employment (DOLE) has also established the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) reform program and Speedy and Efficient Delivery of Labor Justice (SpeED) to immediately resolve labor disputes.
Of the 104,698 request for assistance to settle labor disputes, Aquino said at least 77 percent or 80,830 have been resolved in the average of 17 days from October 2010 to December 2014.
“Umaasa po ako na magtutuloy pa ang ganitong klaseng positibong ugnayan sa pagitan ng manggagawa at ng nag-eempleyo sa kanila, na gawa na rin ng aktibong pagtutok ng Department of Labor and Employment sa kanilang sektor,” he said.
“Kung magpapatuloy po ang kalakaran kung saan mabilis at makatarungang natutugunan ang mga isyu ng bawat panig, tiyak ko po, mananatiling nasa low-single digit ang bilang ng mga nagsa-strike kada taon, kundi man talagang zero strikes na ang ating maabot,” he added.
Aquino, in the same speech, trumpeted a “virtuous cycle” ignited in the country where strong economic growth has facilitated an investment influx creating job opportunities for Filipinos as well as generated additional government resources for better social services.
He said the country’s annual average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reached 6.3 percent since 2010, the fastest growth recorded in 40 years. The government aims to achieve 7 percent to 8 percent GDP growth this year.
“What does this mean for Juan and Juana dela Cruz? Because of strong economic growth, investor confidence in the country will be strengthened. With the opening of new businesses, jobs will be created, opportunities for Filipinos to succeed will be expanded,” Aquino said.
“The effect is: The government can collect more revenues that will serve as funds to increase infrastructure and improve social services. This is what we call ‘virtuous cycle,” he added.
To empower the Filipino workforce, Aquino said the government continues to improve the education sector, particularly the skills training program for Filipinos.
Of the 7.15 million graduates of technical-vocational program of Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) since 2010, Aquino said 65.3 percent found employment.
Around 34,000 women entrepreneurs are benefiting from TESDA’s Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program that help them push forward their businesses, according to the President.
The President ended his Labor Day speech without mentioning any surprise gift for workers in the private and public sector. He also did not say anything about the case of Veloso in his speech although he granted an interview with reporters sharing his sentiment about the case.
It was the first time Aquino celebrated Labor Day in Cebu. Previous celebrations were held in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Luzon.
In his Labor Day message released by the Palace, he recognized the contribution of Filipinos employed here abroad to the country’s robust economic growth.
P16,000 MONTHLY MINIMUM WAGE
In Manila yesterday, pro-labor lawmakers demanded the enactment of labor reform measures that included a P16,000 monthly minimum wage, as Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. vowed support to a bill that would redound to the benefit of the Filipino worker.
Leading protest rallies against what they called the government’s failure to address the concerns of Filipino workers, including the rising unemployment problem, pro-labor partylist solons called on the Lower House to act swiftly in bills that would uplift the lives of workers.
Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap said a P16,000 national monthly minimum wage is foremost among the proposals that labor groups want approved.
On the other hand, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon deplored the “massive youth unemployment” that has hit the country even as he assailed the Aquino government for “perpetuating and intensifying its labor export policy.”
TEACHERS GROUPS
In Manila, teachers’ groups yesterday joined the march of workers organizations to celebrate Labor Day and reiterate their appeal to the government for higher salaries and better benefits.
Public school teachers under the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a 30,000-strong group, converged in Plaza Salamanca in Manila at around 8 a.m. and marched along with labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and other organizations allied with multi-sectoral group Sanlakas to the Mendiola Bridge.
“This day is for all the working people, this is a day to commemorate their daily sacrifices and contributions for the entire society,” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas.
In the afternoon, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also conducted a Labor Day program at Liwasang Bonifacio. “Today is time to honor the labor movement who fought and won many of the rights we enjoy today such as the eight hour workday, maternity leave, sick leave and vacation leave,” the group said.
PRESIDENT IN CEBU
In Cebu, Aquino said his government is committed to ensure the protection of Filipino workers as well as providing them with opportunities to improve their skills and attain their goals in life.
“Wherever Filipino workers are, the government strives to respond to their needs especially in the fields of education, training and immediate assistance,” he said.
WORKING WITH LABOR
Meantime, the President has assured that the government will continue to work with the labor sector to listen to their concerns and make the appropriate action.
He also appealed to local industries to contribute to ensuring fair market where the hardworking people benefit from progress.
“The times call us to help each other to overcome the obstacles to fulfill our dreams. Let us pursue peace in the industries and solidarity that serve as source of a strong and united Philippines now admired by the world,” he added.
‘AGONY OF LOW SALARIES’
In Manila, TDC National Chairman Benjo Basas voiced the agony of the teachers: “Like all the workers, we teachers bear the agony of low salaries, high prices of commodities, unfair labor practices, heavy workload and contractualization, among others. We are brothers and sisters in class and the existing system as well as the policies of the government are used to exploit us.”
The TDC again called for an increase in salaries and other benefits for teachers and government employees. The group cited the reduction of taxes, increase in productivity enhancement incentive and scrapping of divisive and deceptive performance-based bonus (PBB).
“We have been lobbying for a P10,000 across the board increase in salaries of teachers, and a minimum salary pegged at P15, 000 for all the government employees. We are also in support of the workers’ calls for living wage, job security and union rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, ACT, after honoring the workers’ contributions to society, voiced their demands for higher wages and job security. The group has been urging the government to approve a P16,000 national minimum wage and a P25,000-salary upgrading for public school teachers.
The teachers groups also reiterated their call for the Department of Education (DepEd) and to President Aquino to junk the K to 12 Program which adds three mandatory years to the country’s basic education cycle. “We strong stand for the immediate scrapping of the K to 12!” ACT said.
ACT National Chairperson Benjie Valbuena said that that the K to 12 is “anti-people” because it “promotes human export and cheap labor.”