PRIDE IN WORK, NOT JUST IN IDENTITY

In joining this month’s celebration of Pride, Partido Manggagawa (PM) calls for extending it beyond identity politics, believing that the fight for freedom and equality go beyond state recognition and corporate accolades.   

 

These calls include fair wages in the form of wage hikes and the realization of living wage, freedom of association, regular employment, and better working conditions.

 

PM, its youth wing PM Kabataan and allied organizations are holding a community event on the afternoon of June 29 at the Gawad Kalinga Multipurpose Hall Paradise Heights in Smokey Mountain Tondo in commemoration of Pride Month.

 

“Real Pride means demanding structural change. Pride in work, not just in identity (Pride sa pagawaan, hindi lang sa katauhan),” stated Pavs Pavillon, a LGBTQ+ leader of PM Kabataan.

 

Pavillon added that “Pride, therefore, must go beyond symbols and celebrations of identity. We need to talk about rights on the job — about wages, full employment and decent work for all, dignity, and equal treatment in the workplace.”

 

For decades, wages in all 17 regions in the Philippines stayed below the national poverty threshold, at the same time regular jobs and trade unions are being destroyed by contractualization and other restrictions - including union-busting, intimidation, and killings.

 

Along with these problems we continue to see workplace discrimination every day. For instance, gay workers in one big factory in Calabarzon are forced to cut their hair short, and they’re not allowed to use hairnets as an alternative. Lesbian workers are pushed into heavy lifting tasks just because they “look strong” — with no regard for how menstruation or physical strain might affect them. Even in social activities, LGBTQ+ workers are excluded: there’s funding for company sports fests, dance contests, and more — but anything LGBT-themed is banned.

 

When LGBTQ+ workers are treated as “less than,” it weakens the whole workforce. It justifies low pay, divides workers, and lets management off the hook. Fighting for equality and against discrimination isn’t just for a few — it’s for all of us who want better conditions, fair treatment, and real freedom.

 

Pavillon ended with “This Pride and for the next pride marches, let’s stand and fight together not only for acceptance — but for recognition, equality, and collective action. Because there’s no true liberation if our workplaces and communities are still sites of oppression.”

Defend CSE holds mobilizations in Mendiola and Cebu for passage of Teen Pregnancy Prevention bill

Today the Defend CSE network united in a powerful demonstration in Mendiola and Cebu of solidarity, sending a clear and resolute message to legislators: support Senate Bill 1979 and accelerate the nationwide implementation of CSE. This critical piece of legislation aims to fortify adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) initiatives that are under threat by misinformation campaigns.

 

“We believe that CSE is not a threat, but a right,” said Judy Ann Miranda, a leading figure in Defend CSE and secretary general of the labor group Partido Manggagawa. She added that “This is not just about passing laws, it’s about ensuring every young person has the right to accurate, responsible, and empowering education.”

  

Defend CSE, a broad network of civil society organizations (CSOs), advocates, and stakeholders in child rights, youth development, women’s rights, health, and education, stands united in its unwavering commitment to defend Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the Philippines.

 

“We must continue to safeguard the work of educators, policymakers, and those championing CSE in the Department of Education,” stated Miranda. She pointed out that “Fear-mongering and misinformation must not be allowed to erase the progress we’ve made in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people.”

 

In celebration of Valentine’s month, Defend CSE expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the countless advocates, legislators, families, educators, and other stakeholders who have stood strong in the fight to protect young people’s rights to accurate and empowering education. Despite the continued efforts of opposition groups to undermine CSE through fear-mongering and disinformation, Defend CSE reaffirms that these divisive tactics have no place in a dialogue built on love and care for the well-being of children and youth.

 

CSE is a vital tool for protecting young people from real risks such as gender-based violence, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. It empowers youth with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and future. By equipping young people with comprehensive, developmentally-appropriate, and culturally-sensitive education, CSE ensures they can build safe, healthy, and respectful lives.

 

The Defend CSE movement calls for continued advocacy and action to protect CSE against all forms of distortion and opposition. As they rally for the passage and effective implementation of Senate Bill 1979, they pledge to fight for the rights of young people and ensure CSE remains a key element of the country’s education system.

 

Defend CSE remains committed to working alongside policymakers to ensure that sexual and reproductive health education continues to be a pillar of youth empowerment, human rights, and public health in the Philippines.

 

Photos of the Mendiola and Cebu rallies today can be accessed at FB: Partido Manggagawa

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About Defend CSE

Defend CSE is a collective network of civil society organizations, advocates, and stakeholders dedicated to defending the rights of young people to access comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). The movement is committed to advocating for youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, and education policies that prioritize the well-being of future generations.

 

Press Release

February 5, 2025

Defend CSE

Youth group asks: Are there decent jobs for OFW’s going home plus new graduates?

In reaction to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for some 260,000 OFW’s in Kuwait to come home, the youth group Partido Manggagawa-Kabataan (PMK) asked if there are decent jobs awaiting them in the Philippines.

“We welcome our parents coming home from Kuwait so families can be reunited. But are there regular jobs paying living wages for them and the 600,000 new graduates plus thousands more finishing K-12 that won’t go to college? The reason OFW’s go to Kuwait and elsewhere is because of lack of decent jobs in the Philippines,” asserted Kim Dolojo, PMK spokesperson and a PUP student.

Last week, PMK held a protest at the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to highlight its call for decent jobs for young workers.

“President Duterte is again making a personal promise, this time of providing jobs for OFW’s. But he has yet to deliver on his campaign promise two years go to end endo the moment he assumes the presidency. Mr. President, not another broken promise,” Dolojo warned.

She added that “So this Labor Day, PMK members are joining Nagkaisa, KMU and other labor groups is uniting to denounce the administration’s broken promises and demanding regular jobs for Filipinos.”

Dolojo insisted that “In 2016, 78% of the jobless were 15 to 34 years old. Half of them were aged 24 years old or below. A diploma is no antidote to unemployment as 34% of the unemployed had actually gone to college and 20% were college graduates!”

PMK is raising a red flag as the World Bank recently released a report about the lack of quality jobs in the country and the worsening inequality as a result. The group is likewise questioning ECOP for the Jobstreet data that only 24% of employers are willing to hire K-12 graduates.

“An employers organization, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier questioned that the minimum number of hours required of senior high school students are not enough to train and qualify them for entry-level work,” Dolojo explained.

She cited the International Labour Organization (ILO) report titled “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2017: Paths to a better working future,” that stated that youth unemployment rate for Southeast Asia and the Pacific is seen to rise from 11.7 percent in 2016 to 12 percent in 2017, and to 12.2 percent in 2018.

Partido Manggagawa-Kabataan

April 29, 2018

Youth group concerned at lack of jobs for new graduates

(Photo from Rappler)

The youth group Partido Manggagawa-Kabataan (PMK) expressed concern at the lack of jobs awaiting the hundreds of thousands of new graduates this year. Tomorrow, PMK is holding a protest at the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) to highlight its call for decent jobs for young workers.

“Are there enough jobs for 600,000 college graduates and thousands more of K-12 graduates immediately entering the labor force? Further, are there decent jobs awaiting them or just more of the usual endo work?,” asked Rea Foliente of PMK.

PMK is the youth wing of the militant Partido Manggagawa. PM is among the labor groups active in the campaign to end contractualization and has criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for his refusal to sign an EO to make direct hiring the norm in employment relations.

PMK is raising a red flag as the World Bank recently released a report about the lack of quality jobs in the country and the worsening inequality as a result. The group is likewise questioning ECOP for the Jobstreet data that only 24% of employers are willing to hire K-12 graduates.

Foliente insisted that “In 2016, 78% of the jobless were 15 to 34 years old. Half of them were aged 24 years old or below. A diploma is no antidote to unemployment as 34% of the unemployed had actually gone to college and 20% were college graduates!”

She added that “The youth challenge the DTI and ECOP to show us the numbers. How many graduates can be absorbed in the labor force? And will the work be regular or dead-end contractual jobs in agencies?”

“Another employers organization, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier questioned that the minimum number of hours required of senior high school students are not enough to train and qualify them for entry-level work,” Foliente explained.

Some 100 PMK and women members of PM together with contingents from the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Labor Union will join the protest tomorrow against the DTI and ECOP for their pro-endo lobby and scare tactics against regular jobs. The rally comes after the announcement of Malacanang that President Duterte is not signing an EO to make direct hiring the norm in employment.

Foliente cited the International Labour Organization (ILO) report titled “Global Employment Trends for Youth 2017: Paths to a better working future,” that stated that youth unemployment rate for Southeast Asia and the Pacific is seen to rise from 11.7 percent in 2016 to 12 percent in 2017, and to 12.2 percent in 2018. 

April 22, 2018

Partido Manggagawa-Kabataan

Militant youth ask for apology on lewd act in LP event

Press Release

October 2, 2015

Partido Manggagawa-Kabataan (PMK)

The Partido Manggagawa-Kabataan, the youth wing of the militant Partido Manggagawa, asked for a formal apology from the politicians involved in the use of sexy performers in a political event in Laguna.

“We challenge MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino and Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao to issue categorical apologies. Their insincere denials are worthless and lame excuses are even worse. We want to hear Tolentino and Agarao declare that the performance was offensive to women, say they are sorry for it and promise not to have similar acts in their upcoming political events,” averred Erika Isaias, PMK spokesperson for Cavite.

A sexy dance group called Playgirls performed lewd acts in an oath-taking of new Liberal Party members in Laguna presided by presidential candidate Mar Roxas. The performance was allegedly a “surprise gift” from Tolentino to birthday celebrant Agarao. Children and minors were in attendance at the LP event.

“If there is any truth at all to the daang matuwid platform of LP, then such lewd dances have no place in a political gathering. Trapos frequently talk of family values, women’s rights and child welfare. But their use of sexy or lewd performances as entertainment in political meetings exposes such as lip service if not blatant lies,” insisted Isaias, a 23-year old young worker in an ecozone in Cavite.

PMK is composed of out-of-school youth, students and young workers who advocate issues such as education for all, regular jobs, decent wages, affordable housing and community involvement of working class youth.

Inequality, jobless growth are PNoy’s legacies—labor group

Press Release

July 27, 2015

With President Benigno Aquino III expected to dwell on his legacies in today’s SONA, the labor party Partido Manggagawa (PM) insisted that worsening inequality and jobless growth are the enduring legacies of his administration.

“Walang naituwid at walang naitawid si PNoy sa kanyang panunungkulan. Economic growth has not tricked down to the masses as unemployment, poverty, contractualization, low wages and lackluster social services persist. Worse, GDP growth has been monopolized by big capitalists as the wealth of the richest 50 Filipinos has ballooned in the last few years thus the chasm between rich and poor swelled even more,” explained Rene Magtubo, PM national chair.

Hundreds of PM members joined the SONA protest launched by the labor coalition Nagkaisa and various multisectoral groups. Ahead of the main afternoon counter-SONA rally, some 50 members of PM-Kabataan, its PM’s youth organization, held a flash mob in front of the TUCP/PGEA compound to dramatize the sorry state of the youth. Other PM-Kabataan members held giant placards that spelled the message: “5 Taon ni PNoy: Kabataan NGA-NGA!” Counter-SONA protests were also held by PM chapters in Cebu at downtown Colon and in Davao in front of the city hall.

Magtubo added that “Even as PNoy focuses on his unique achievements in his SONA, his administration is essentially no different from past regimes in sacrificing the workers and the poor in the altar of globalization. The state of the workers is best illustrated by the industrial tragedy at Kentex and the plight of OFW Mary Jane Veloso. Sweatshops and cheap labor are the norm not just in Valenzuela but everywhere. No wonder, Filipinos choose to go abroad in a futile search for greener pastures, only to fall victim to criminal syndicates, abusive employers and lack of labor rights and social protection in other countries.”

PM’s Magtubo averred that Aquino’s good governance record is at best spotty, as many critics have pointed out that the so-called anti-corruption campaign has only targeted well-known opposition leaders. The group also argues that poverty reduction is dependent on the massive funds allocated to the nationwide dole out program of CCT that remains hobbled by patronage system at the ground. Finally PM also claims that a big chunk of the jobs generated under Aquino is mainly due to the emergency work program.

“By itself, dispensing emergency work is positive but ours pales in comparison to similar programs in other countries. In the Philippines, emergency work in the form of DOLE’s TUPAD lasts only for 15 days for every year while in India, the law called NREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment for every rural family annually,” Magtubo described.

PNoy, past governments failed the youth in their transition to the world of work – PM-Kabataan

News Release

July 25, 2015

PM-Kabataan

High dropout rates due to high cost of education amid the prevailing poverty in the country; unemployment; the prevalence of precarious working conditions; and poor state of public services have condemned the youth to a life of uncertainty despite the promises of tuwid na daan under the Aquino administration.

This was the assertion of the youth wing of Partido Manggagawa, PM-Kabataan (PMK), ahead of its pre-SONA “art attack” protest to be held tomorrow at the Quezon Memorial Circle as it railed against the lack of tangible legacy the youth sector has gained under the Aquino as well as the past administrations, specifically, for their failure to eliminate established roadblocks that limit opportunities for young people to secure a better future.

Youth is defined by the UN and ILO as those under 25 years of age.  The Philippine law (RA8044), however, prescribed the 15-30 age group to cover the youth sector.  There are 18.93 million Filipinos under the age group 15-24 and 27.84 million in age group 15-30 based on the 2012 census. Combined this sector represents millions of young people who are in school, in actual work, the idle and the unemployed.

According to PM-Kabataan, the youth’s pathway or transition to better future - from schooling to actual work – remained impeded by age-old problems such as high cost of education, unemployment, and precarious working conditions.

Dropout rate, added the group, remained at 6-7% in elementary and high school and much higher at the college level during the last five years.  “Those who cannot survive this transition end up as unskilled laborers which now comprise 32% of employed persons in the country, or into the world of unemployment which is highest, 52%, in age group 18-24,” said PM-Kabataan spokesperson Ryan Bocacao.

He added that this kind of situation produces the countless Mary Jane Velosos, full time and part time laborers in sweatshop enterprises, and the phenomenal rise in the number of batang ina and young parents in the country.

To address this problem the youth group said the government should have been decisive in formulating policies that would establish free education at all levels, bring down the cost of other social services, and in stopping the plague of contractualization in the workplace.

“Unfortunately we haven’t seen progress in policy levels both in education and in the world of work. Lilipas na naman ang isang administrasyon, nadagdagan na naman ang aming edad ng anim na taon, pero narito pa rin kami sa dating sitwasyon na kinalalagyan namin noon,” lamented Bocacao.

PM-Kabataan members come from the ranks of students, out-of-school youth and those who are at work.  The “art attack” protest was their form of expressing their sentiment against the prevailing system in the country and a buildup activity before joining other groups for Monday’s Sona protests.

Advisory: Pre-SONA youth event

MEDIA ADVISORY

Partido Manggagawa - Kabataan

                           

YOUTH in SORRY STATE

                                        (A Pre-SONA Protest)

·    High dropout rate in school               6-7% elementary and high school, higher rate in college

·    Unemployment                                  52%  in age group 18-24

·    Precarious working condition            outsourcing/contractualization, informalization

·    Teenage pregnancy/young parents    14% of Filipino girls aged 15-19

                                                                 Date: July 26, 2015

                                   Place: Gazebo 2, Quezon Memorial Circle

                                   Time:  7AM - 6PM 

Activities done through art protest by members of PM-Kabataan

        AM Activities:

o   mural and face painting

o   mask/poster making

o   Flash Mob Dance

o   Boodle Fight

        PM Activities

o   workshops on issues

o   candle lighting for victims of injustice like Mary Jane Veloso and Kentex workers

                                             THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

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For inquiries please contact Ms. Judy Ann Miranda @ 09228677522 or Yuen Abana @ 09162811934

Labor Day rally kickoff: “Laban ko ‘to—edukasyon, trabaho, sahod” say youth & young workers

MEDIA ADVISORY

May 1, 2015

WHAT: Youth and young workers mini-rally

WHEN: Today, May 1, 2015, 7:00 a.m.

WHERE: Welcome Rotonda

DETAILS: Some 200 youth and young workers to kickoff the nationwide Labor Day rallies today with a mini-rally at Welcome Rotonda. They will carry gloves to symbolize the will to knockout high education costs, unemployment, contractualization and cheap labor. They will also chant “Laban ko ‘to! Libreng Edukasyon! Trabahong Regular! Sweldong Sapat!” Also they will bring colorful umbrellas with slogans of labor demands.

            Manila: Nagkaisa will lead a 20,000-strong rally in the morning. Assembly along Espana then march to and program in Mendiola until noon. PM contingent, including youth and young workers who are staging a vigil today, will join the Nagkaisa rally.

Cavite: Local labor groups United Cavite Workers Association, Rosario Workers Association and the Tae Sung Employees Association will march tomorrow morning from Tejero Convention Center to EPZA for a short program and then move on to the Rosario City Hall for a noontime dialogue with Mayor Nonong Ricafrente.

Cebu: March along downtown Colon by several thousand workers from Nagkaisa groups PM, Sentro and ALU-TUCP.

Bacolod: Presscon by local labor coalition Genuine Alliance of Workers Associations (GAWA) in the morning. A thousand workers will assemble at Coca-Cola plant at noon and then march to Bacolod Rotonda.

Iloilo: Forum on BPO workers conditions in the morning and then indoor activity by PM leaders and members in the afternoon.

Davao: Several hundred protesters will hold program at Orcullo Park starting at 8 a.m. and the march along Ponciano, Rizal, Claveria Sts. And back to Orcullo Park at Roxas Blvd.

General Santos City: Nagkaisa rally together with retrenched Citra Mina workers.

Youth from working class families speak out: #No more Mary Janes!

Press Release

April 30, 2015

Some 200 members of Partido Manggagawa’s youth wing, the Partido Manggagawa sa Kabataan (PM-K) trooped to Mendiola on the eve of Labor Day to demand an end to policies that drove many Mary Janes to suffer the harsh world of human trafficking and exploitation abroad.

 The group said that while the youth were happy that Mary Jane Veloso was spared from execution in Indonesia, the existing government policies, if not rectified, will recurrently produce more Mary Janes as long as chronic unemployment and low wages prevail in the country. 

 Ryan Bocacao, PM-K spokesperson, said the youth, especially those coming from working families, can easily identify with the story of Mary Jane because it is abject poverty that drove her to bravely face the harsh world of work here and abroad.

 “Until her supposed final moments on earth, we saw from Mary Jane the courage typical to all our OFWs.  They are all risk takers.  Some of them may have fallen victims to syndicates and cruel employers, but all these came from their decision to save their families from chronic poverty which they believed is a long failed agenda of the government,” said Bocacao.

 The youth of today, he explained, is suffering from the same predicaments, of finishing school and landing a good job, because of unsound policies of the government both on education and employment.

 “The youth cries for justice for Mary Jane. We cry the same for the 20 million youth whose dreams for a better life is crumbling along the way because of bad government policies,” added Bocacao.

 PM-K members who participated in the Mendiola action and a vigil afterwards at the Holy Trinity Parish Church in Sampaloc include young workers who have attended job fairs but remain unemployed; youth working in sweatshops in NCR; young workers in factories of Calabarzon; college students enduring high cost of education and graduating high school students who cannot afford college education.

 They are demanding free education, living wage, regular employment and an end to the contractualization policy.

 “Many poor students drop out of school during high school and college because of financial constraints on the part of their parents.  This problem imposes a devastating impact on the youth’s transition to the world work as lack of higher education relegates them to low paying unskilled jobs or worst, to chronic unemployment,” said Bocacao.

 It was reported that Mary Jane did not finish her high school because of poverty.  And in most cases, risky domestic works abroad are the only jobs available to poor women coming from the Philippines. Hundreds of PM-K members are joining the Labor Day march tomorrow.

Labor Day buildup activity: Youth march and vigil for education and jobs today

Media Advisory

Partido Manggagawa sa Kabataan

WHAT: Youth and young workers to hold march and vigil on eve of Labor Day

WHEN: Today, April 30, 2015; 5:00 p.m. assembly; 6:00 p.m. program; 7:00 p.m. march

WHERE: Assembly @ Morayta; Program @ Mendiola; March along Espana and Vigil @ Holy Trinity Parish in Balic-Balic

DETAILS: Some 150 members of Partido Manggagawa sa Kabataan (PMK), the youth wing of Partido Manggagawa, will participate in the Labor Day eve activity. The main call of the march and vigil will be “Baguhin ang sistema sa edukasyon at trabaho para walang bagong Mary Jane. Libreng edukasyon. Regular na trabaho para sa lahat.” The PMK members will hold an overnight vigil and attend the big May 1 mobilization of Nagkaisa.

Participants to the PMK event will be senior high school and college students, out-of-school youth and young workers. Interview opportunities on plight of youth and young workers, such as:

1.     Young workers who have attended job fairs but remain unemployed

2.     Youth working in sweatshops in NCR

3.     Young workers in factories of Calabarzon

4.     College students enduring high education costs

5.     Graduating high school students who cannot afford college education.

Mary Jane lives, but will existing government policies save our youth?

NEWS RELEASE

Paratido Manggagawa sa Kabataan

29 April 2015

 

Members of Partido Manggagawa’s youth wing, the Partido Manggagawa sa Kabataan (PM-K) are happy that Mary Jane Veloso was spared from execution in Indonesia.  But a major question lies at the back of their minds: Will existing government policies save the youth from the predicaments being suffered by Mary Jane and many other OFWs?

 

Ryan Bocacao, PM-K spokesperson, said the youth, especially those coming from working families, can easily identify with the story of Mary Jane because it is abject poverty that drives her to bravely face the precarious world of work here and abroad.

 

“Until her supposed final moments on earth, we saw from Mary Jane the courage typical to all our OFWs.  They are all risk takers.  Some of them may have fallen victims to syndicates and cruel employers, but all these came from their decision to save their families from chronic poverty which they believed is a long failed agenda of the government,” said Bocacao.

 

The youth of today, the group explained, is suffering from the same predicaments of finishing school and landing a good job because of unsound policies of the government both on education and employment.

 

PM-K members will lead a protest action tomorrow afternoon in Mendiola to raise the demand for free education and decent work for all. Participants to the PM-K event will be senior high school and college students, out-of-school youth and young workers who who have attended job fairs but remain unemployed; working in sweatshops in NCR; workers in factories of Calabarzon; college students enduring education costs; and, graduating high school students who cannot afford college education.

 

“Many poor students drop out of school during high school and college because of financial constraints on the part of their parents.  This problem had a big impact on the youth’s transition to the world work as lack of higher education relegates them to low paying unskilled jobs or worst, to chronic unemployment,” said Bocacao.

 

More than half (52%) of the youth’s population (age group 18-24) are unemployed, according to the Social Weather Station (SWS).

 

It was reported that Mary Jane did not even finish her high school because of poverty.  In most cases, risky domestic works abroad are the only jobs available to poor women coming from the Philippines.

 

Hundreds of PM-K members are joining the Labor Day march to Malacanang.

RH bill, labor protection pushed on International Youth Day

PRESS RELEASE

Partido ng Manggagawa-Kabataan

12 August 2011

The youth arm of militant labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) called on Congress to end debates on the reproductive health bill and finally pass the measure so that efforts and energies are now shifted to finer details for its implementation to bring immediate impact on poor women and their families.

“Measures such as the RH bill and new labor protection policies are needed in the face of the catasthropic impact of the global economic crisis on the working class especially women and youth,” Partido ng Manggagawa – Kabataan  (PM-K) said in a statement as it joins other youth groups in a rally today at the House of Representatives and the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in Quezon City in time for the celebration of International Youth Day.

 At the House of Representatives youth groups pressed for the immediate passage of the RH bill saying the measure has already been overly debated while women, especially young mothers, suffer daily from unattended reproductive health needs.  Later at the OSHC, the groups demanded strict enforcement of safety and other labor standards in the country, citing the case of a Korean-owned shipyard Hanjin where workers die due to work-related accidents.  All of the company’s 21,000 workforce also work as contractuals.  The youth group is opposed to the policy of contractualization.

“We want a change in the prevailing environment of joblessness, deteriorating working conditions and lack of social protection for the present and future generation of young workers, especially women,” said Carol Hernandez of the PM-K, referring to this year’s International Youth Day theme, “Change Our World”.

Hernandez said President Aquino’s “matuwid na daan” to be relevant to the present realities of the youth must be translated into “bagong landas” as old rhetorics of “change” or “wang-wang” cannot undo the damage done to people and the environment by economic and social policies under the regime of privatization, deregulation and economic liberalization which all favor the interests of rich nations.

“There must be change in policies.  Without it the young generation will continue to suffer the life of indignity under the harsh environment of poverty and desperation.  We want jobs, a regular good paying jobs.   We want a secure and ecologically livable future,” concludes Hernandez.

Young people to join march for RH on World Population Day

PRESS RELEASE

July 10, 2011

Partido ng Manggagawa-Kabataan (PMK)

Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan (SDK)

Saying they are no longer too young and dull to understand sexuality and reproductive health, students and out-of-school youth members of Partido ng Manggagawa-Kabataan (PMK) and the Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan (SDK) are joining the Purple March tomorrow, July 11, as the entire world celebrates the World Population Day.

More than a hundred members of PMK and SDK are joining the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network – Youth (RHAN-Youth) that will participate in the Purple March and Parade that will assemble at Raja Sulayman Park, Malate at 7am tomorrow. They will be carrying posters “Hindi na kami bata para sa RH” enumerating the reasons for their support to the RH bill in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“The fact that the world of seven billion today remains divided between the rich minority and the poor majority, we believe that young people still have the chance of having a better future if we have a better understanding of everything, including on our sexuality and RH needs,” said Karol Hernandez, PMK spokesperson.

“Hindi nakatulong sa gaya naming mga kabataan ang pag-iwas ng lipunang pag-usapan ang mga usapin sa sekswalidad at RH.  Imbes na alam namin ang gagawin dahil sa kakulangan ng impormasyon, mas marami sa amin ang nag-eeksperimento at nakikinig sa kapwa naming kapos din sa kaalaman sa RH,” added Hernandez, explaining how escaping the issues concerning sexuality made the youth, specially young women, dependent on ‘sabi-sabi’ or superstition on one of the most important aspect of their lives – their reproductive health.

According to Ms. Hernandez, because of the lack relevant and accurate information: 30% of Filipino women become mothers before they reach their 21st birthday; 11 mothers die every day due to pregnancy and child birth complications; 2 out of 5 teenage pregnancies are ‘unwanted’; 46%  of these unwanted pregnancies turn into ‘induced abortions’; 1 out of 4 teenage mothers stop schooling to concentrate on child rearing; and 10% of children of teenage mothers, 1 out of 5 die due to various reasons.

“The RH bill’s passage is an urgent issue for the Filipino youth.  Attached to the compulsory education for the youth – among Grade 5 to 4th year high school students – is the opportunity for a brighter future for us, the youth.  In this issue, we believe that, this time, the conservative adults should listen to the youth,” asserted SDK spokesperson, Ernest Abanes. Abanes said young Pinoys are also aware of the many problems facing today’s youth such as high cost of education, unemployment and deteriorating labor standards and they want President Aquino address these concerns in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“But PNoy should never forget the equally tall order of getting the RH bill approved by Congress,” ended Abanes.