Labor group slams Duterte for endo, inflation and unemployment

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte for the persistence of endo, rising inflation and the threat of unemployment. PM called on the government to drop charter change and instead prioritize regular jobs and a living wage.

“Ang end endo ay naDuterte. Isa itong naDigong pangako. Workers are bearing the brunt of the broken promises of the administration. Malacanang’s belated announcement that an EO may be signed today is obviously a last minute maneuver. We’ll judge the EO when indeed one is signed. Contractuals do not become regular just because of a press release. Gawa hindi salita,” exclaimed Dennis Derige, PM-Cebu spokesperson.

PM joined the labor coalition Nagkaisa and the Cebu Citizen’s Assembly in the rally that gathered at the Sto. Rosario Church before marching to downtown Colon. PM participated in the labor unity rally of Nagkaisa and KMU in Manila that was a massive indignation mobilization against President Duterte’s failure to end contractualization. PM chapters in Bacolod, Davao and General Santos also mobilized for the nationwide Labor Day commemoration.

In Bacolod, PM and KMU contingents had a salubungan in the morning at the Fountain of Justice at the old City Hall. PM’s main rally was held in the afternoon after a mass meeting in the morning. In Davao, Nagkaisa and KMU assembled in the morning at Orcullo Park and then marched around the city.

PM warned of rising unemployment with a call from President Rodrigo Duterte for Kuwaiti OFW’s to come home, the six-month closure of Boracay and the impact of TRAIN on the economy.

“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,” averred Derige.

The group is concerned as well with the rising inflation together with worsening unemployment. Economists predict that inflation will hit 4.6% this April. Inflation has steadily climbed every month from just 2.9% last December.

“Even as jobs remained contractual not regular, wages are being eroded by the escalation of prices. Where is the iron fist to control prices? Government is sleeping on the job!,” Derige argued.

He insisted that the fight against contractualization is not over as the group vowed to organize and mobilize workers in the continuing campaign to end endo. 

May 1, 2018

Workers warn of unemployment with OFW’s going back, Boracay closure and TRAIN impact

On the eve of Labor Day, the workers group Partido Manggagawa (PM) warned of rising unemployment with a call from President Rodrigo Duterte for Kuwaiti OFW’s to come home, the six-month closure of Boracay and the impact of TRAIN on the economy.

As part of the buildup for the massive Labor Day indignation rally, the union Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) is holding a motorcade around Ayala Ave. this afternoon while members of PM-Kabataan distribute leaflets appealing for participation in tomorrow’s protest.

Tomorrow, PM is participating in the labor unity rally in Manila and other key cities to slam the President for his broken promise of ending endo. Aside from Manila, PM chapters in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao and General Santos are mobilizing for the nationwide Labor Day commemoration. The group is calling for the government to drop the chacha and focus instead on regular jobs and a living wage.

 “Where are the jobs for the 260,000 OFW’s deployed in Kuwait, the 27,000 registered and unregistered workers displaced in Boracay, the 900 workers laidoff by Coca-Cola due to the TRAIN law, the 600,000 college graduates and thousands more of K-12 graduates,” declared Judy Ann Miranda, PM secretary-general.

The group is alarmed as well with the rising inflation together with worsening unemployment. Economists predict that inflation will hit 4.6% this April. Inflation has steadily climbed every month from just 2.9% last December.

Last week, PM 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 and slam rising inflation.

Miranda cited a recently released report by the World Bank about the lack of quality jobs in the country and the worsening inequality as a result.

She added “And if these young and old workers are lucky enough to find a job, will it be regular and pay a living wage? We all know that the reason OFW’s go abroad is because of lack of decent jobs in the Philippines. So why will Kuwaiti OFW’s fly back home when nothing has changed in the jobs situation in the Philippines?”

Miranda insisted that “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.”

April 30, 2018