A COALITION of labor groups will drop its annual luncheon meetings with Pres. Benigno S.C. Aquino III, sector leaders announced Monday, saying workers’ concerns have fallen on deaf ears in Malacañang these past five years.
“There will not be any dialogue between workers and Malacañang this May 1,” Annie E. Geron, convenor of the Nagkaisa labor coalition that is composed of 49 organizations deemed the sector’s moderates, said as she read a prepared statement in Filipino in a press conference in the City of Manila yesterday.
“The entire force of Nagkaisa will take to the streets to seek justice for the Filipino worker.”
Pressed for details, Ms. Geron said the Aquino administration’s failure to act on concerns presented by labor groups in 2010 left them with no choice but to abandon talks with the Executive.
The list consisted of full employment, an across-the-board wage hike, quality public service, primary universal health care, protection for all Filipino migrant workers, and lower prices of goods and utilities. Particular reforms included the Security of Tenure bill and the proposed Freedom of Information act, both of which remain stalled in Congress.
TUCP-Nagkaisa started its annual May 1 talks with Mr. Aquino in 2012, but the group said these were fruitless.
“If the government did not act on our concerns these past five years, what else can we expect in this remaining one year of the administration, given that it faces so many issues: OFWs [overseas Filipino workers in trouble] and China,” Ms. Geron said, noting that “labor issues always take the back seat and are overshadowed by the emerging issues of the day.”
At the same time, however, Ms. Geron said members of her group will still negotiate directly with state agencies and private sector employers. “We need to go to each agency... rather than wait for him (Mr. Aquino) to give them orders (on labor concerns).”
A P15 increase in daily minimum wage for private sector workers in Metro Manila took effect on April 4, but this was far from the P136 wage hike sought by TUCP-Nagkaisa.
Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin S. Lacierda told reporters in a regular briefing yesterday that Malacañang will still reach out to labor groups.
“We will continue to engage any sector that is willing to listen to us. We have always spoken to TUCP. There are certain issues that have been discussed with the secretary of Labor and we continue to discuss those things,” Mr. Lacierda said.
“Perhaps, some of them may not be to the entire satisfaction but we have certainly addressed a number -- if not most -- of the issues that they have raised and we will continue to do so,” he added, citing, for instance, subdued increases in prices of basic goods.
“We always talk to people who would like to discuss matters with us. But if they chose not to, it’s our obligation to continue to fight for... and protect the rights of our workers.”
Rene E. Ofreneo, director of the Center for Labor Justice at the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations, said it is time for government to review its programs.
Noting that Mr. Aquino’s “term is ending”, Mr. Ofreneo said in a telephone interview: “Many labor groups have the same sentiment.”
“They have high expectations following Mr. Aquino’s social contract in 2010. They are now looking for results, asking: ‘Where are they?’”
TUCP-Nagkaisa has around 2.7 million worker-members, said the group’s spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay, with most coming from the informal sector. At least 25,000 are expected to join the group’s Friday march in Metro Manila and similar protest actions will be held in other regions.
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) asked TUCP not to halt consultations with Malacañang.
“It will be unfortunate if TUCP will close the door on the presidential dialogue on employment issues,” ECOP President Edgardo G. Lacson said via text.
“The journey towards progress and full employment is a long-term aspiration that should not be put on hold by unmet present demand for short-term gains like a substantial wage adjustment now. ECOP urges TUCP to reconsider its decision to boycott the dialogue with the president even if it has low expectations on the outcome of such consultations.” By Melissa Luz T. Lopez, Reporter BusinessWorld
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