Workers to march on Bonifacio Day to press for wage hike, end to endo and political dynasties

 

Members of the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition will stage a protest march from España to Mendiola on Bonifacio Day, November 30, to demand government action on pressing labor issues. The coalition is calling for:

 

- A legislated wage hike of ₱150 or more and the abolition of provincial rates to help workers cope with inflation and the intensifying cost of living crisis.

- The abolition of endo (contractualization) in both private and public sectors.

- An end to violence against women as part of broader reforms for social justice.

 

The protest highlights frustrations over the lack of government attention to labor’s pressing issues. Despite the urgency of a wage hike, the Labor Committee in Congress has stopped deliberating on the matter since May. Senators on their part has passed the ₱100 wage hike bill in February.

 

In contrast, the Quadcom which was organized only in August by Speaker Romualdez has been conducting marathon hearings to investigate the Dutertes’ deadly war on drugs and illegal use of confidential funds.

 

Neglect of labor issues

 

While exacting accountability from the past administration is a good agenda to pursue, labor leaders insisted that sidelining key labor reforms, such as legislating wage hike and ending the scourge of labor contractualization, is perpetuating a state of national calamity. They pointed to the lack of leadership from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, noting that their action could push forward legislation to address workers’ demands.

 

"Workers are tired of being shortchanged by regional wage boards while Congress and Malacañang remain silent on their struggles," the coalition said.

 

Labor and calamities

 

The coalition also emphasized the compounding effects of recent typhoons, which have devastated communities across the country. Many workers, already struggling with low wages, are unprepared to recover from these disasters.

 

"This situation reflects decades of government neglect and the self-serving priorities of political dynasties,” echoing Bonifacio's belief that there can be no ‘kaginhawahan’ without ‘kalayaan’ from this kind of rule. Nagkaisa said this also includes freedom of women from violence and exploitation.

 

End political dynasties

 

The coalition argued that both the blending and warring political dynasties are importunate barrier to genuine progress for Filipino workers. "These dynasties are a calamity in themselves. Ang dynasty ang dapat i-endo hindi ang manggagawang Pilipino," the group concluded.

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

27 November 2024