Honoring the Dignity of Work
Statement of Churchpeople Workers Solidarity in Commemoration of International Workers’ Day
In a country long ruled by wealthy oligarchs, the personality of President Duterte who rose from middle class roots, with his unconventionality and staunch proposition for change, made it easy for the Filipino people to be optimistic and to hope again for the promise of a new dawn for the Philippines. However, several months have passed and nothing much has changed, particularly in relation to the situation of the Filipino workers. How can there be genuine change when President Duterte’s economic planners still adhere to the same old neoliberal economic policies of the previous administration? The present administration’s “Dutertenomics” is anchored within the same neoliberal framework which emphasizes advancing corporate profit through unbridled welcoming of foreign investments. After almost one year of the Duterte presidency, contractual employment continues.. According to research group Ibon, some 24.4 million working Filipinos or nearly two-thirds (63%) of total employed are non-regular, agency-hired, informal sector, or unpaid family workers. The labor groups’ pleas to end all forms of contractualization and to uphold their basic rights such as security of tenure, safe working environment, living and just wage, and the rights to freely form and join unions and labor organizations remain unheeded. The rise of extra-legal/judicial killings and human rights abuses in urban poor communities related to the government’s aggressive anti-drug campaign paints a grimmer picture of the struggling masses.
Not able to find decent jobs and living wages in the country and facing a panoply of chronic socio-economic problems, more and more Filipino workers are forced to seek jobs overseas leaving their families behind. With prevalent low wage level against the increasing cost of living, they are bled dry, thus making overseas employment a necessity to support their families.
The DOLE Department Order 174 is just distinguishing between “legitimate” and “non-legitimate” contractualization, DOLE is merely regulating contractual labor and not really abolishing it. All these interventions are exacerbating the pains and sufferings of the working class. Today, more than ever, workers need pro-worker and pro-people policies that will empower them to dream again and work towards the fulfillment of their dreams through decent work. Decent work is essential to human dignity. Work is more than just a way to make a living; it is a continuing participation in God’s creation. If the government is sincere in bringing about constructive progressive change, the first step is to end contractualization which denies the workers of benefits enjoyed by regular employees and their chances of promotion and proper compensation to elevate their lives. Pope Francis has asserted that, “honoring the dignity of work is a cornerstone for any just society...”
The Church-People Workers Solidarity (CWS) joins the voices of thousands of Filipino workers in their clarion call to end all forms of contractualization, and to respect their dignity and rights as persons. This can only be done by veering away from the conventional and elitist neoliberal economic agenda and by pursuing a truly pro-poor and pro-people economic program through national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform. Hence, CWS fully supports the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP especially now that both parties have achieved significant advances in crafting a Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) that will address the root causes of the armed conflict.
The economy must serve the people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living, it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. We keep ablaze the passion and hope as the struggle continues. The courage to hope lies within the resolute and steadfast Filipino Spirit. The many stories of triumphs as well as defeats of the toiling masses are testament to the resiliency, determination and zeal of the Filipino workers.
Mabuhay ang Uring Manggagawa!
Not able to find decent jobs and living wages in the country and facing a panoply of chronic socio-economic problems, more and more Filipino workers are forced to seek jobs overseas leaving their families behind. With prevalent low wage level against the increasing cost of living, they are bled dry, thus making overseas employment a necessity to support their families.
The DOLE Department Order 174 is just distinguishing between “legitimate” and “non-legitimate” contractualization, DOLE is merely regulating contractual labor and not really abolishing it. All these interventions are exacerbating the pains and sufferings of the working class. Today, more than ever, workers need pro-worker and pro-people policies that will empower them to dream again and work towards the fulfillment of their dreams through decent work. Decent work is essential to human dignity. Work is more than just a way to make a living; it is a continuing participation in God’s creation. If the government is sincere in bringing about constructive progressive change, the first step is to end contractualization which denies the workers of benefits enjoyed by regular employees and their chances of promotion and proper compensation to elevate their lives. Pope Francis has asserted that, “honoring the dignity of work is a cornerstone for any just society...”
The Church-People Workers Solidarity (CWS) joins the voices of thousands of Filipino workers in their clarion call to end all forms of contractualization, and to respect their dignity and rights as persons. This can only be done by veering away from the conventional and elitist neoliberal economic agenda and by pursuing a truly pro-poor and pro-people economic program through national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform. Hence, CWS fully supports the peace talks between the GRP and the NDFP especially now that both parties have achieved significant advances in crafting a Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER) that will address the root causes of the armed conflict.
The economy must serve the people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living, it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. We keep ablaze the passion and hope as the struggle continues. The courage to hope lies within the resolute and steadfast Filipino Spirit. The many stories of triumphs as well as defeats of the toiling masses are testament to the resiliency, determination and zeal of the Filipino workers.
Mabuhay ang Uring Manggagawa!
Church People – Workers Solidarity (CWS) Statement for International Labor Day
May 1, 2016
Millions of Filipinos from the toiling masses still suffer from poverty and dearth despite the 22-point labor and employment agenda that the Aquino promised to implement almost six years ago. The government continues to boast of the country’s economic prosperity as claimed by the consistent growth of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years. However, ordinary people and workers have not benefitted from the said growth. A large segment of the public does not have an access to the limited goods and opportunities available. Instead, Filipino workers are pushed deeper into the pit of misery --- unemployment, slave labor, unjust wage, insecurity of jobs, unsafe working conditions, exploitation, harassment, and commoditization of workers.
The recent bloody assault on the hungry protesting Kidapawan farmers who were asking for urgent food aid in the face of starvation and death is a prima facie evidence of the government’s continued neglect and nonchalant regard to the pleas and cries of the poor and marginalized whether peasant or workers. This stance of the government has made the hunger and poverty situation in the country even worse. According to Pope Francis, “There is no worse material poverty than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.”
In the face of such miserable and precarious plight of the Filipino workers, we, the convenors of the Church People-Workers Solidarity, speak with compassionate courage to call on the Aquino Administration and the political candidates vying for key positions in the May 2016 elections to give new impetus to employment and include in their legislative agenda the promotion of the dignity of work and protection of the workers’ rights. Specifically, we call and demand on the following:
1. Put an end to contractualization. An exploitative and anti-worker employment scheme. It is the employment scheme that has helped employers cut down wages, benefits and undercut unions.
2. Implement just wage. Until now no substantial wage increase was given to the workers to at least lessen the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage.
3. Institute industrial and labor policies to ensure workers’ safety. Unsafe working places continue to claim innocent lives and maim workers.
4. Intensify the protection of the dignity and labor rights of OFWs.
5. Work must be combined with the preservation of ecological integrity.
The country’s workforce significantly contributes to its economy. Unfortunately, our Filipino workers remain at the seams of the society whose voices have been oftentimes drowned out by the politics of greed. Let us strengthen our voice and stand against abuses and exploitation against workers and put our trust in our collective power as a people to defend the rights gained by the struggles of the Filipino workers.
May the God of our history, who is full of mercy and compassion, accompany our Filipino workers in their struggle for a just and humane society.
Reference:
Signed: Signed:
Rev. Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP Rev. Fr. Rudy Abao, MSC
Order of Preacher Missionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
CWS National Secretary CWS Convenor
The recent bloody assault on the hungry protesting Kidapawan farmers who were asking for urgent food aid in the face of starvation and death is a prima facie evidence of the government’s continued neglect and nonchalant regard to the pleas and cries of the poor and marginalized whether peasant or workers. This stance of the government has made the hunger and poverty situation in the country even worse. According to Pope Francis, “There is no worse material poverty than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.”
In the face of such miserable and precarious plight of the Filipino workers, we, the convenors of the Church People-Workers Solidarity, speak with compassionate courage to call on the Aquino Administration and the political candidates vying for key positions in the May 2016 elections to give new impetus to employment and include in their legislative agenda the promotion of the dignity of work and protection of the workers’ rights. Specifically, we call and demand on the following:
1. Put an end to contractualization. An exploitative and anti-worker employment scheme. It is the employment scheme that has helped employers cut down wages, benefits and undercut unions.
2. Implement just wage. Until now no substantial wage increase was given to the workers to at least lessen the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage.
3. Institute industrial and labor policies to ensure workers’ safety. Unsafe working places continue to claim innocent lives and maim workers.
4. Intensify the protection of the dignity and labor rights of OFWs.
5. Work must be combined with the preservation of ecological integrity.
The country’s workforce significantly contributes to its economy. Unfortunately, our Filipino workers remain at the seams of the society whose voices have been oftentimes drowned out by the politics of greed. Let us strengthen our voice and stand against abuses and exploitation against workers and put our trust in our collective power as a people to defend the rights gained by the struggles of the Filipino workers.
May the God of our history, who is full of mercy and compassion, accompany our Filipino workers in their struggle for a just and humane society.
Reference:
Signed: Signed:
Rev. Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., OP Rev. Fr. Rudy Abao, MSC
Order of Preacher Missionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
CWS National Secretary CWS Convenor
Statement of Churchpeople – Workers’ Solidarity (CWS) on the death of 72 workers in the Kentex fire
“In many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because work opportunities are limited (through unemployment or underemployment), or because a low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it, especially the right to a just wage and to the personal security of the worker and his or her family” (Caritas in Veritate, no. 63)
With deep sympathy, the Churchpeople Workers’ Solidarity (CWS) extends its condolences to the bereaved families of the workers killed at Kentex Manufacturing Corporation fire in Valenzuela City. CWS share in their sorrow. The seventy two confirmed dead point to very serious occupational safety issues in the factory. The Valenzuela incident again highlights the hazards faced by workers in many factories nationwide. It is truly tragic that so many perished in a fire apparently because they were trapped inside the workplace. The death of so many workers shows that the government’s mechanism for labor assessment is seriously flawed and has exposed the abusive conditions for millions of poor and desperate workers across the nation.
The tragedy, in a long row of gated factories in an industrial hub of Metro-Manila, was one of the country's deadliest workplace accidents. This is not the first factory fire that killed many workers under the government of Pres. Benigno Aquino III. On May 9, 2012, 17 workers of Novo Jeans and Shorts in Butuan City died when a fire broke out. On April 30, 2014, eight workers of Asia Micro Tech in Pasay City died in a fire. Often these tragedies in the Philippines pass without anyone being held accountable. We are deeply saddened that not a single capitalist has been judged guilty and jailed for the death of workers in the workplace. Even the Department of Labor and Employment should be held liable for this tragic incident for giving the Kentex Corporation an occupational health and safety standard compliance certificate in Sept. 2014.
We thus call on all relevant government agencies including the Valenzuela local government unit and the Bureau of Fire Protection to deeply investigate the incident, including the compliance of the factory with existing safety standards. If violations are found, there must be accountability and criminal punishment for justice to be attained for the victims and their families.
The church sees violations of occupational health and safety standards that result in workers’ deaths as criminal acts: “All violations of the integrity of the human person, all offenses against human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, degrading working conditions where men/women are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons: all these and the like are criminal: they poison civilization” (Gaudium et Spes, 27).
Furthermore, we vehemently condemn the continued neoliberal assault on workers' rights through anti-labor policies. Contractualization is still prevalent in many factories across the country. To extract more profits from the workers, both government and private sectors are now shifting to contractual labor and flexible employment. Mandated by the logic of neoliberal economic policy to squeeze more profits from the workers, contractualization of workers results to dissolution of unions and dismantling of the protection and benefits of regular workers. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that Kentex Corp. has engaged, and is engaging the services of illegal subcontractor, a violation of the Labor Code. The right of workers for a just compensation is also clearly violated. Kentex Corp. is said to employ more than 100 agency-hired contractuals who receive P202 as daily wage. Survivors of the blaze and victims' relatives also claimed that they were denied many legally mandated benefits. They said workers were forced to work 12-hours a day, seven days a week without overtime pay.
Lastly, we call on Filipino workers to unite for the upholding of occupational health and safety and for other fundamental workers' rights. We reiterate the statement made by International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder that “We can make workplaces safe by improving working conditions in factories, including carrying out regular inspections to ensure that factories comply with structural, fire and electrical safety; and by ensuring workers' rights, especially freedom of association and collective bargaining.” Hence, we support worker's right to form labor unions because only with such unions can they fight for their rights. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, we join the millions of workers in their fight to “construct a society and an economy where man and his good, and not money, may be the center.”
For reference:
Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D.
Chairperson
[email protected]
With deep sympathy, the Churchpeople Workers’ Solidarity (CWS) extends its condolences to the bereaved families of the workers killed at Kentex Manufacturing Corporation fire in Valenzuela City. CWS share in their sorrow. The seventy two confirmed dead point to very serious occupational safety issues in the factory. The Valenzuela incident again highlights the hazards faced by workers in many factories nationwide. It is truly tragic that so many perished in a fire apparently because they were trapped inside the workplace. The death of so many workers shows that the government’s mechanism for labor assessment is seriously flawed and has exposed the abusive conditions for millions of poor and desperate workers across the nation.
The tragedy, in a long row of gated factories in an industrial hub of Metro-Manila, was one of the country's deadliest workplace accidents. This is not the first factory fire that killed many workers under the government of Pres. Benigno Aquino III. On May 9, 2012, 17 workers of Novo Jeans and Shorts in Butuan City died when a fire broke out. On April 30, 2014, eight workers of Asia Micro Tech in Pasay City died in a fire. Often these tragedies in the Philippines pass without anyone being held accountable. We are deeply saddened that not a single capitalist has been judged guilty and jailed for the death of workers in the workplace. Even the Department of Labor and Employment should be held liable for this tragic incident for giving the Kentex Corporation an occupational health and safety standard compliance certificate in Sept. 2014.
We thus call on all relevant government agencies including the Valenzuela local government unit and the Bureau of Fire Protection to deeply investigate the incident, including the compliance of the factory with existing safety standards. If violations are found, there must be accountability and criminal punishment for justice to be attained for the victims and their families.
The church sees violations of occupational health and safety standards that result in workers’ deaths as criminal acts: “All violations of the integrity of the human person, all offenses against human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, degrading working conditions where men/women are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons: all these and the like are criminal: they poison civilization” (Gaudium et Spes, 27).
Furthermore, we vehemently condemn the continued neoliberal assault on workers' rights through anti-labor policies. Contractualization is still prevalent in many factories across the country. To extract more profits from the workers, both government and private sectors are now shifting to contractual labor and flexible employment. Mandated by the logic of neoliberal economic policy to squeeze more profits from the workers, contractualization of workers results to dissolution of unions and dismantling of the protection and benefits of regular workers. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that Kentex Corp. has engaged, and is engaging the services of illegal subcontractor, a violation of the Labor Code. The right of workers for a just compensation is also clearly violated. Kentex Corp. is said to employ more than 100 agency-hired contractuals who receive P202 as daily wage. Survivors of the blaze and victims' relatives also claimed that they were denied many legally mandated benefits. They said workers were forced to work 12-hours a day, seven days a week without overtime pay.
Lastly, we call on Filipino workers to unite for the upholding of occupational health and safety and for other fundamental workers' rights. We reiterate the statement made by International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder that “We can make workplaces safe by improving working conditions in factories, including carrying out regular inspections to ensure that factories comply with structural, fire and electrical safety; and by ensuring workers' rights, especially freedom of association and collective bargaining.” Hence, we support worker's right to form labor unions because only with such unions can they fight for their rights. Echoing the words of Pope Francis, we join the millions of workers in their fight to “construct a society and an economy where man and his good, and not money, may be the center.”
For reference:
Most Rev. Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D.
Chairperson
[email protected]
Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) Statement on Labor Day 2015
On Labor Day, Remember Human Dignity and the Common Good
'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality
This Labor Day, as we take time to honor our workers, we also take time to pause and reflect on the meaning of work, the contributions of workers, and the important role of the labor movement in our economy and nation.
Our country continues to struggle with an economy that is not producing enough decent jobs. Millions of Filipinos suffer from unemployment, underemployment and are living in poverty as their basic needs too often go unmet. There are now an estimated 4.5 million unemployed Filipinos and 7.3 million underemployed—the highest in Asia! The link between joblessness and poverty is undeniable, as Pope Emeritus Benedict pointed out: “in many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because work opportunities are limited or because a low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it, especially the right to just wage and the personal security of the worker.” (Caritas in Veritate, #63)
In our Catholic tradition, work is more than a way to make a living. Work is an expression of our dignity and a contribution to the common good; it is a way to participate in God's continuing work of creation. In a Labor Day message in 2013, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of work: “Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. Work, to use an image, 'anoints' us with dignity, fills us with dignity, makes us similar to God.”
Today, workers are faced with daunting challenges. The present exploitative relations of production leave workers no choice but to sell their labor power in order to survive. Workers are, collectively, compelled under the threat of poverty to sell their capacity to work in order to get access to basic needs. For decades now, workers have experienced worsening hunger and poverty because of the intensifying attacks on the minimum wage while big businesses earn super profits and become very wealthy. The minimum wage is less than half of the estimated family living wage. This is aggravated by how wages hikes are so few and small that the minimum wage is barely able to keep up with the rising cost of living. It is this very bleak scenario that Pope Francis describes as “the powerful feeding upon the powerless.” And as a consequence, masses of people “find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape”. "Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded."
The neoliberal economic doctrine that the government staunchly defended openly destroyed most of the victories gained by workers through centuries of collective struggle. The right to organize and form unions, for example, is being vigorously attacked before our very eyes. Workers who are trying to form unions are massively retrenched over false charges. Unions and other worker associations have a unique and essential responsibility in advancing the rights of workers. The Catholic church has long taught that unions are “an indispensable element of social life” and are examples of the traditional Catholic principles of solidarity and subsidiarity in action. At their best, unions demonstrate solidarity by bringing workers together to speak and act collectively to protect their rights and pursue the common good.
Also, Filipinos and workers of the world consider the institutionalization of the eight-hour working day as one of the hard-won gains of the labor movement. This law is unfortunately being flouted today by many companies, which seem to make 16-hour workday an ordinary work schedule.
The current global economic crisis pushes employers to find ways to implement belt-tightening measures even if these violate the right of workers to decent work. One of the single biggest stumbling blocks to having decent work is the practice of contractualization that gives rise to “endo” or “end of contract.” Contractualization means starvation for workers. Still, the message of Rerum Novarum is very clear: “wealthy owners of the means of production and employers must never forget that both divine and human law forbid them to squeeze the poor and wretched for the sake of gain or to profit from the helplessness of others.” (RN, #17)
The staggering outflow of 6,000 plus Filipinos leaving daily in search of employment abroad is the result of forced migration. Poverty and massive joblessness in the country push our people to look for jobs abroad and become prey of human trafficking and modern day slavery. This is coupled with the government’s policy to export our labor thereby reducing people as mere commodities in the global market.
As we celebrate Labor Day, may we learn to appreciate the value of work as a gift from God. This Labor Day, we from CWS appeal to our brothers and sisters in the faith and all men and women of good will for a decisive choice to protect the wretched workers from the brutality of those who make use of human beings as mere instruments for the unrestrained acquisition of wealth. Workers deserve our support when they try to form unions and assert their rights at work. As Pope Francis pointed out: “Men and women who work are dignified. Those who do not work do not have this dignity. But there are many who want to work and cannot. This is a burden on our conscience, because when society is organized in such a way that not everyone has the opportunity to work, then there is something wrong with that society.”
Today, millions of working people and their families have urgent and compelling needs. May God guide our actions in creating a more just economy that truly honors the dignity of work and the rights of workers.
Reference:
Fr. Quirico Pedregosa Jr., OP Mr. Elmer Labog Mr. Garry Martinez
Convenor Convenor Convenor
Order of Preachers Kilusang Mayo Uno Migrante International
'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality
This Labor Day, as we take time to honor our workers, we also take time to pause and reflect on the meaning of work, the contributions of workers, and the important role of the labor movement in our economy and nation.
Our country continues to struggle with an economy that is not producing enough decent jobs. Millions of Filipinos suffer from unemployment, underemployment and are living in poverty as their basic needs too often go unmet. There are now an estimated 4.5 million unemployed Filipinos and 7.3 million underemployed—the highest in Asia! The link between joblessness and poverty is undeniable, as Pope Emeritus Benedict pointed out: “in many cases, poverty results from a violation of the dignity of human work, either because work opportunities are limited or because a low value is put on work and the rights that flow from it, especially the right to just wage and the personal security of the worker.” (Caritas in Veritate, #63)
In our Catholic tradition, work is more than a way to make a living. Work is an expression of our dignity and a contribution to the common good; it is a way to participate in God's continuing work of creation. In a Labor Day message in 2013, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of work: “Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person. Work, to use an image, 'anoints' us with dignity, fills us with dignity, makes us similar to God.”
Today, workers are faced with daunting challenges. The present exploitative relations of production leave workers no choice but to sell their labor power in order to survive. Workers are, collectively, compelled under the threat of poverty to sell their capacity to work in order to get access to basic needs. For decades now, workers have experienced worsening hunger and poverty because of the intensifying attacks on the minimum wage while big businesses earn super profits and become very wealthy. The minimum wage is less than half of the estimated family living wage. This is aggravated by how wages hikes are so few and small that the minimum wage is barely able to keep up with the rising cost of living. It is this very bleak scenario that Pope Francis describes as “the powerful feeding upon the powerless.” And as a consequence, masses of people “find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape”. "Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded."
The neoliberal economic doctrine that the government staunchly defended openly destroyed most of the victories gained by workers through centuries of collective struggle. The right to organize and form unions, for example, is being vigorously attacked before our very eyes. Workers who are trying to form unions are massively retrenched over false charges. Unions and other worker associations have a unique and essential responsibility in advancing the rights of workers. The Catholic church has long taught that unions are “an indispensable element of social life” and are examples of the traditional Catholic principles of solidarity and subsidiarity in action. At their best, unions demonstrate solidarity by bringing workers together to speak and act collectively to protect their rights and pursue the common good.
Also, Filipinos and workers of the world consider the institutionalization of the eight-hour working day as one of the hard-won gains of the labor movement. This law is unfortunately being flouted today by many companies, which seem to make 16-hour workday an ordinary work schedule.
The current global economic crisis pushes employers to find ways to implement belt-tightening measures even if these violate the right of workers to decent work. One of the single biggest stumbling blocks to having decent work is the practice of contractualization that gives rise to “endo” or “end of contract.” Contractualization means starvation for workers. Still, the message of Rerum Novarum is very clear: “wealthy owners of the means of production and employers must never forget that both divine and human law forbid them to squeeze the poor and wretched for the sake of gain or to profit from the helplessness of others.” (RN, #17)
The staggering outflow of 6,000 plus Filipinos leaving daily in search of employment abroad is the result of forced migration. Poverty and massive joblessness in the country push our people to look for jobs abroad and become prey of human trafficking and modern day slavery. This is coupled with the government’s policy to export our labor thereby reducing people as mere commodities in the global market.
As we celebrate Labor Day, may we learn to appreciate the value of work as a gift from God. This Labor Day, we from CWS appeal to our brothers and sisters in the faith and all men and women of good will for a decisive choice to protect the wretched workers from the brutality of those who make use of human beings as mere instruments for the unrestrained acquisition of wealth. Workers deserve our support when they try to form unions and assert their rights at work. As Pope Francis pointed out: “Men and women who work are dignified. Those who do not work do not have this dignity. But there are many who want to work and cannot. This is a burden on our conscience, because when society is organized in such a way that not everyone has the opportunity to work, then there is something wrong with that society.”
Today, millions of working people and their families have urgent and compelling needs. May God guide our actions in creating a more just economy that truly honors the dignity of work and the rights of workers.
Reference:
Fr. Quirico Pedregosa Jr., OP Mr. Elmer Labog Mr. Garry Martinez
Convenor Convenor Convenor
Order of Preachers Kilusang Mayo Uno Migrante International
Statement of Churchpeople – Workers’ Solidarity (CWS)
International Workers’ Day (May 1, 2014)
“Church People and Workers in Solidarity, Reclaim the Dignity of Human Work!”
The annual celebration of Labor Day on the first day of May is a good opportunity for the Church to express his gratitude to the workers, his special concern for their welfare and once again put forward its social teachings on labor which serves as a reminder to promote ethical, just and humane policies in the world of work.
Situation of the Workers
The workers are faced with multifarious problems:
It gravely undermines workers’ rights to security of tenure, self-organization, and collective bargaining agreement (CBA). President Aquino has kept the contractual-employment legal and more widespread through Department Order 18-A Series of 2011.
In January of 2014, Philippines jobless rate rose to 7.5%, up from 6.5 % in the previous period. Such employment situation gives us a glimpse of how millions of Filipinos are unable to cope with rising prices of petroleum and basic commodities.
The present statistic shows that the profit of transnational corporations grew from 20 – 100 % – the highest since 1940's. On the other hand, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said that the growth in the salary of workers throughout the world from 2008 to 2009 decreased by 50%.
In the Philippines, the imposition of the Two-Tiered Wage System has meant a wage cut and a wage freeze. Millions of Filipino workers continue to lose human dignity with very meagre wages and substandard quality of work. But still the Aquino government has continued to reject calls for a significant wage hike. Even the Phil. Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), which help government planners and policy-makers in the executive and legislative branches of government suggested in removing the minimum wage to allow more workers to be employed.
The Aquino government continues to implement the same anti-labor policies as the previous administrations. The unwritten incentive for foreign investors: “Come to the Philippines ‘where labor is cheap, docile, not unionized.” In practice, the workers are unjustly terminated when they are suspected of organizing themselves.
Migrant Filipino workers
The Philippine government has called OFW’s as the country’s modern heroes. However, these praises ring empty considering the government’s unwillingness to stop the staggering outflow of 5,000 Filipinos leaving daily in search of employment abroad, only to be exploited by their foreign employers. Added to this is the deathly inflow of six to ten bodies of OFW’s repatriated every day citing data from Migrante International.
Teachings of the Church on Labor
In his Labor Day message on May 1, 2012, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle stated that the Church teachings constantly reiterate that the workers are more important than capital and profit and the workers are the key part of business and production. The growth of material or financial side of production is also vital, but should never be a reason to exploit workers. Putting emphasis on capital and profits will always bring damage to the dignity of workers including their families and the entire society. Priority is still the dignity of man created in the image of God.
Call to Action
In the face of such miserable plight of the Filipino workers, we, from the Churchpeople Workers Solidarity (CWS) join hands to advance the struggle of the workers. In the context of worsening conditions of the workers, CWS which was convened by churchpeople and workers’ organizations on September 12 – 15, 2011 in Cebu City, is determined to pursue the struggle for workers’ dignity and rightful recognition as partners in the pursuit of peace and progress in the country.
CWS affirms the “dignity of work based on the dignity of workers as co-creators of God and aims to live by the principle of putting the interest of labor above that of capital: workers’ rights over profit.”
Lastly, CWS pay its highest tribute to its co-convenor, the late Fr. Joe Dizon, a patriot and humble servant of the working class people. His life as a priest was devoted to serving and loving the workers and building various types of workers associations and unions. He immersed himself in workers’ struggle till his death. His commitment and legacy will linger forever in the minds and hearts of the people.
Uphold workers' rights!
Reclaim the Dignity of the Human Work!
No to Contractualization! Pass P125 Wage Hike Bill Now!
Reference:
Sr. Lydia Lascano, ICM Fr. Greg Obejas, OSM (signed)
Convenor Convenor
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Priest, St. Joseph the Worker Parish
Mahabang Parang, Angono Rizal
Mr. Elmer Labog Mr. Garry Martinez
Convenor Convenor
Kilusang Mayo Uno Migrante International
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International Workers’ Day (May 1, 2014)
“Church People and Workers in Solidarity, Reclaim the Dignity of Human Work!”
The annual celebration of Labor Day on the first day of May is a good opportunity for the Church to express his gratitude to the workers, his special concern for their welfare and once again put forward its social teachings on labor which serves as a reminder to promote ethical, just and humane policies in the world of work.
Situation of the Workers
The workers are faced with multifarious problems:
- growing legalization of contractualization/joblessness.
It gravely undermines workers’ rights to security of tenure, self-organization, and collective bargaining agreement (CBA). President Aquino has kept the contractual-employment legal and more widespread through Department Order 18-A Series of 2011.
In January of 2014, Philippines jobless rate rose to 7.5%, up from 6.5 % in the previous period. Such employment situation gives us a glimpse of how millions of Filipinos are unable to cope with rising prices of petroleum and basic commodities.
- unjust wages
The present statistic shows that the profit of transnational corporations grew from 20 – 100 % – the highest since 1940's. On the other hand, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said that the growth in the salary of workers throughout the world from 2008 to 2009 decreased by 50%.
In the Philippines, the imposition of the Two-Tiered Wage System has meant a wage cut and a wage freeze. Millions of Filipino workers continue to lose human dignity with very meagre wages and substandard quality of work. But still the Aquino government has continued to reject calls for a significant wage hike. Even the Phil. Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), which help government planners and policy-makers in the executive and legislative branches of government suggested in removing the minimum wage to allow more workers to be employed.
- the right to organize
The Aquino government continues to implement the same anti-labor policies as the previous administrations. The unwritten incentive for foreign investors: “Come to the Philippines ‘where labor is cheap, docile, not unionized.” In practice, the workers are unjustly terminated when they are suspected of organizing themselves.
Migrant Filipino workers
The Philippine government has called OFW’s as the country’s modern heroes. However, these praises ring empty considering the government’s unwillingness to stop the staggering outflow of 5,000 Filipinos leaving daily in search of employment abroad, only to be exploited by their foreign employers. Added to this is the deathly inflow of six to ten bodies of OFW’s repatriated every day citing data from Migrante International.
Teachings of the Church on Labor
In his Labor Day message on May 1, 2012, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle stated that the Church teachings constantly reiterate that the workers are more important than capital and profit and the workers are the key part of business and production. The growth of material or financial side of production is also vital, but should never be a reason to exploit workers. Putting emphasis on capital and profits will always bring damage to the dignity of workers including their families and the entire society. Priority is still the dignity of man created in the image of God.
Call to Action
In the face of such miserable plight of the Filipino workers, we, from the Churchpeople Workers Solidarity (CWS) join hands to advance the struggle of the workers. In the context of worsening conditions of the workers, CWS which was convened by churchpeople and workers’ organizations on September 12 – 15, 2011 in Cebu City, is determined to pursue the struggle for workers’ dignity and rightful recognition as partners in the pursuit of peace and progress in the country.
CWS affirms the “dignity of work based on the dignity of workers as co-creators of God and aims to live by the principle of putting the interest of labor above that of capital: workers’ rights over profit.”
Lastly, CWS pay its highest tribute to its co-convenor, the late Fr. Joe Dizon, a patriot and humble servant of the working class people. His life as a priest was devoted to serving and loving the workers and building various types of workers associations and unions. He immersed himself in workers’ struggle till his death. His commitment and legacy will linger forever in the minds and hearts of the people.
Uphold workers' rights!
Reclaim the Dignity of the Human Work!
No to Contractualization! Pass P125 Wage Hike Bill Now!
Reference:
Sr. Lydia Lascano, ICM Fr. Greg Obejas, OSM (signed)
Convenor Convenor
Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Priest, St. Joseph the Worker Parish
Mahabang Parang, Angono Rizal
Mr. Elmer Labog Mr. Garry Martinez
Convenor Convenor
Kilusang Mayo Uno Migrante International
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