Big Labor Alliance: Time to End Regionalization and Setting of Wages to Barest Minimum

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It is the right of every Filipino to live a life of dignity as well as to quality standard of living. And for this national vision to be realized, the 1987 Constitution directed the State to provide labor full protection and ensure the right of workers and their families to a living wage.

Regrettably over the years since the Constitution was ratified, the workers' demand for a family living wage was never addressed as previous governments deviated towards regionalization and the containment of wages to the barest minimum. This deviation consequently created wide gaps in wage levels all over the country as wage fixing mechanism now seeks the lowest level of balance in every region where the market clearing price of labor is primarily determined on the basis of employer's capacity to pay rather than on the worker's right to a living wage. The same problem can be seen in different wage levels in the public sector despite the salary standardization program.

As a result, this minimum wage and regionalization policy created the condition of chronic poverty and deepening inequality in the country as millions of workers were consigned to an imposed reality of sustaining their families on wages that can hardly meet even half of the daily cost of living.

We, the NAGKAISA, therefore, take as delighting news the planned nationalization of the minimum wage announced recently by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello. It is because of our long-standing position that poverty knows no boundary while inequality is the despicable outcome of unfair distribution of national wealth. This deformed policy clearly needs to be rectified, now!

However, we always consider as mere government propaganda a major pronouncement that is left without form at the policy level. That, certainly, is what happened to the living wage principle that lay lifeless in the Constitution during the last three decades. But since the new administration has made a pledge to rectify the errors of the previous administrations, stopping the plague of contractualization and realizing the living wage were core issues that NAGKAISA and the government can work together in achieving a common goal.

At this particular juncture, the NAGKAISA labor coalition gladly presumes that the Duterte administration remains committed to the principle of living wage and that its planned nationalization of minimum wage will lead towards the ultimate realization of this social objective. Workers, in the first place, deserve not a minimum wage but a fair share in the product of their labor.

Hence, in line with the pronouncement of Secretary Bello, the NAGKAISA is looking forward soon to an Order, or something to that effect, going to be issued by Malacanang. We are looking forward to an instruction to all regional wage boards to issue a uniform wage order that is based on Metro Manila rate. And we are, at the same time, looking forward to a Palace-endorsed or certified bill in Congress seeking the same and eventually the repeal of the existing Wage Rationalization Act.

The NAGKAISA also strongly believe on the principle of equal pay for equal work and work of equal value not just on private sector workers but for those government employees who are in the same bind. In the same breath, the NAGKAISA call on the government for the uniform application and implementation of Salary Standardization Law to all local government units (LGUs).

It is high time to stop the spiral race to the bottom by ending the regionalization and setting of wages to the barest minimum now. The NAGKAISA believes this can be done especially when government will treat the labor movement as main partner to this enormous reform tasks.

Therefore, we urge the government to instruct all regional wage boards to issue a uniform wage order the rate of which is based on Metro Manila. We call on government to certify a bill in Congress seeking the same and, eventually, the repeal of the existing Wage Rationalization Act. The NAGKAISA, likewise, call on the government for the uniform application and implementation of Salary Standardization Law to all local government units (LGUs).

About NAGKAISA

Issue-based NAGKAISA labor coalition is composed of 47 labor federations, workers organizations in public and private sectors and various urban and peasants groups. The group came together in April 2012 to advocate for workers' living wage, promote security of tenure, to lower the cost and ensure reliable supply of power, and for public sector workers to be allowed to form unions and collectively bargain.

The members of the NAGKAISA are: Alliance of Free Workers (AFW) , All Filipino Workers Confederation (AFWC), Automobile Industry Workers Alliance (AIWA), Alab Katipunan, Association of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO), Associated Labor Unions (ALU), Associated Labor Unions- Association of Professional Supervisory Officers Technical Employees Union (ALU-APSOTEU), ALU-Metal, Associated Labor Unions-Philippine Seafarers'Union (ALU-PSU), ALU-Textile, ALU-Transport, Associated Labor Unions-Visayas Mindanao Confederation of Trade Unions (ALU-VIMCOMTU), Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), Association of Trade Unions (ATU), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Confederation of Independent Unions (CIU), Confederation of Labor and Allied Social Services (CLASS), Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS), Federation of Coca-Cola Unions (FCCU), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Kapisanan ng Maralitang Obrero (KAMAO), Katipunan, Pambansang Kilusan sa Paggawa (KILUSAN), Kapisanan ng mga Kawani sa Koreo sa Pilipinas (KKKP), Labor education and Research Network (LEARN), League of Independent Bank Organizations (LIBO), MARINO, National Association of Broadcast Unions (NABU), National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), National Mines and Allied Workers Union (NAMAWU), National Association of Trade Unions (NATU), National Confederation of Labor (NCL), National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU), National Union of Portworkers in the Philippines (NUPP), National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant and Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN), Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), Pepsi Cola Employees Union of the Philippines (PEUP), Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA), Pinag-isang Tinig at Lakas ng Anakpawis (PIGLAS), Philippine Integrated Industries Labor Union (PILLU), Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association (PIPSEA), Partido Manggagawa (PM), Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA), Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization (PTGWO), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Workers Solidarity Network (WSN).

Labor chief targets 50% reduction in 'endo' in six months

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is targeting the reduction by half of the practice of "endo" among companies, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's instructions to end the scheme.

"Siguro ang target ko is the first six months we will reduce the incidence of 'endo' and contractualization by 50 percent, that will be the challenge I will give to the officials in the department," Bello said after he signed a memorandum addressed to all regional labor officers of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the country.

The memorandum directs the officers to strictly implement the Labor Laws Compliance System.

Bello also instructed its Bureau of Working Conditions to prepare profiles of contractors and subcontractors based on results and or findings from Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCO).

The memorandum also obliged regional directors to submit a comprehensive report to the DOLE secretary related to violations of existing labor laws and complaints of "endo" submitted by affected workers.

DOLE regional offices are also required to submit profiles of contracting and sub-contracting arrangements from companies.

"All documents shall be submitted to the Office of the Secretary, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Social Protection, on or before July 15," he said.

Bello noted that the undersecretary for Social Protection shall have overall supervision over the activities he stated in the memorandum.

To fully iron out technical aspects and issues surrounding contractualization, a workshop is scheduled on July 18 to 19 with labor officials and other stakeholders.

"All industries will benefit (from this), from shopping mall employees to workers from private companies even media and broadcasting companies," Bello said.

Not enough

While praising the move, however, a labor group said this strategy is not enough to curb the practice.

"The Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) lauded the DOLE secretary for issuing a memorandum ordering DOLE regional officers to strengthen assessment and inspection of all work establishments in the country through deployment of LLCOs in starting to eliminate contractualization work scheme," Alan Tanjusay, spokesperson of ALU-TUCP, said in a text message to GMA News Online.

"However, this strategy is not sufficient if President Duterte is serious about eliminating the worst form of arrangement for good," he added.

He said the DOLE needs to hire more compliance officers to effectively combat the issue.

"The current number of LLCOs are powerless against the number of work establishments in the country. There are almost one million work establishments against only less than 600 LLCOs in all regions. More LLCOs should be hired if the drive against contractualization would be successful," Tanjusay said. —By JP SORIANO and JOHN TED CORDERO, GMA News

Except for Duterte, leading candidates for the presidential race signs contract to end contractualization

​Jejomar Binay,Grace Poe and Mar Roxas


Three days before the elections, three presidential candidates signed a contract with a coalition of labor federations and workers' organizations calling for the repeal of the notorious and rampant contractual work scheme in the country.

"We have the signatures of Mar Roxas, Grace Poe, and Jejomar Binay conforming to workers' clamor to repeal contractualization work scheme in the country. While only 3 of the 5 presidential candidates have formally signed our proposed 'anti-endo contract,' we are elated that ending contractualization work scheme is among the primary social issues that is being advocated by all the 'presidentiables,' which will influence the outcome of the May 9 national elections," the NAGKAISA labor coalition said in its statement.

By affixing their signatures, the 3 candidates have signified their commitment to fight contractualization. "Regardless of who among them wins, the minority president has a binding agreement with the majority – the Filipino working people. NAGKAISA will engage the new leadership to ensure that she/he will live up to their promise to end Endo," the group said.

Unfortunately, Rodrigo Duterte' did not sign the document. "This puts into question his sincerity in fighting contractualization," NAGKAISA said.

Also known as "endo" (end of contract) or "5-5-5" jobs, this contractual work arrangement is characterized by hiring employees for only five months without security of tenure, paid with unlawful wages and without social protection benefits and privileges compared to what regular workers receive.

Both Grace Poe and Jejomar Binay signed the agreement committing themselves to, "Certify as urgent and enact the Security of Tenure bills both for the private and the public sectors as championed in the outgoing 16th congress by Representatives Raymond Mendoza, Walden Bello and Leah Paquiz."

Mar Roxas agreed to, "Certify as urgent and enact the Security of Tenure Bill to protect workers' rights from unfair contractualization," but added that he would "study and develop flexible and lawful work arrangements to adapt to the needs of employees and employers, thereby securing humane working conditions and encouraging the creation of jobs."

The Security of Tenure Bill referred to has been languishing in Congress for more than a decade now.

NAGKAISA considers contractualization as a modern day work slavery whereby workers toil to enrich their employers but are paid with measly wages, without Social Security System (SSS), Philhealth and Pag-IBIG protection benefits, cramp in risky workplaces and without security of tenure.

Aside from ending contractualization, other issues presidential candidates have agreed with NAGKAISA are providing for living wage, ensuring quality public services, reforming workplace labor inspection, ensuring the working poor's right to the city, realizing full employment before the end of six years, among others.

The NAGKAISA is a coalition of 49 labor centers, federations, and workers' organizations including big labor groups such as the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), National Confederation of Labor (MCL), National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), Partido Manggagawa (PM) and Associated Labor Unions (ALU).

TUCP deplores the absence of decency, justice, equity and fairness

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TRADE UNION CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
LABOR DAY STATEMENT
MAY 1, 2016

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) today deplores the absence of decency, justice, equity and fairness in our society. Despite the continuing growth of the economy, the wages and salaries of Filipino workers remain low and inadequate. Tens of millions of workers and employees belong to the "working poor" who are without any savings, are deeply indebted, deprived of so many good things in life, and are extremely vulnerable to economic shocks and uncertainties. Working jobs that are "precarious" in nature, these are the workers who have built the wealth of the last few years. The present administration refused to support the passage of the tax reform legislation which could have provided an additional, albeit modest amount, to the take-home pay of workers. It also betrayed the workers when the President vetoed the bill increasing the monthly pension of SSS pensioners by P2,000.

Moreover, living with already low income, our workers have to further squeeze-out their meager budget to pay for their monthly electricity the price of which remains the highest in Asia. In addition, instead of giving more subsidy to mass transportation system which our workers use every day to go to work, the government decided to withdraw all the subsidies to the MRT and LRT which resulted in the increase of fare. Add to that the dangers to life and limb who use our MRT/LRT. We don't have universal and free health care system in the country. If a worker gets seriously sick, he must be prepared to just die. The practice of labor contractualization or hiring workers on time-bound contract had also widened. Tens of millions of work are under contractual arrangements, known as "endo contracts", do not receive minimum wages, have no benefits and work in poor working conditions. The very nature of their insecure work arrangements means that they cannot join unions. Most of them are not also covered by social protection.

The situation of Filipino workers remains intolerable. We want the next administration to improve the lives of workers and their families by putting back money into their hands and by providing them economic relief. We need substantial wage increases. We want the next Congress to pass the tax reform bill to reduce the taxes on workers' income so that they will have more money in their pocket. We demand the next administration to increase the monthly pension of SSS pensioners by P2,000 to help our elderly pensioners have more money to buy food and medicine. We want lower electricity rates in the country. The next Congress must amend the EPIRA and strengthen the regulatory capacity of the ERC.

Furthermore, we want the next government to put back the subsidy for MRT and LRT to decrease the existing fares and to improve the services of the said mass transportation systems. We also wish it to create a National Health Care System that will provide free and universal health care for all with a strong focus on public health and preventive care.

Most importantly, we want the new government to support the passage of the Security of Tenure bill to provide our workers security of employment which will give them all the advantages of being regular workers. Without regularization, workers have no SSS coverage, no Philhealth, no Pag-Ibig and no hope for a better life.

We in TUCP will mobilize all our resources to achieve our vision for all workers and our families. We will continue to struggle to build a more decent, inclusive, progressive, free and humane society.

We urge our social partners both in business and government to join us in reaching a new social contract under the new government.

TUCP: Living wage is P12,517/month

​Php154 wage hike petition to wage board

THE TRADE Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Sunday justified its demand for a P154 increase in daily minimum wage in Metro Manila, saying the current wage of P481 was not enough to lift workers out of poverty.

TUCP Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said that considering inflation and its impact on the purchasing power, the real value of the daily minimum wage was actually only P315.56, way below  the government's P417-a-day estimated poverty threshold for a family to cope with the cost of living.

Tanjusay said that on a monthly basis, the real wage value was P9,467 a month, way below the P12,517 monthly income needed to meet the basic food needs of a family of five based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI).

The requirements include nonfood needs such as clothing, housing, transportation, health and education to ensure that one remains economically and socially productive.

He cited Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimates in March that the number of workers whose wage value fell below the poverty threshold reached 7.879 million.

The TUCP said it would also file minimum wage increase petitions for workers in Region 4A as well as the provinces of Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

Red alert warning

"We are raising a red alert warning to employers and the government to immediately address the disparity between the minimum standard required for a family to survive and the current real value of the highest minimum wage," said Tanjusay.

"The wage boards must convene immediately to bring quality relief to workers unable to cope with the rising cost of living due to their inadequate salaries," he added.

He said a minimum wage lower than the poverty threshold affected production due to insufficient nutrition and stress.

"If this low quality of life is not acted upon, there will be more perpetrators and victims of all sorts of crime, more Filipinos would opt to work abroad, and it would breed a host of social problems," said Tanjusay.

The TUCP filed its petition to bring the daily minimum wage up to P635  with the Metro Manila wage board on Thursday.

He said a P154 wage increase would merely restore the P481 to its real value.

Last year, the TUCP filed a P136 wage increase petition for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila but the DOLE-NCR approved only  P15.

The one-year prescriptive period of the last wage increase expired on April 4, thus the need to seek a new wage increase to make the salary of Metro Manila workers more realistic, he said. - - By: Estrella Torres @inquirerdotnet Philippine Daily Inquirer

P154 Wage hike sought for Metro Manila

THE COUNTRY'S biggest labor group plans to formally seek today a P154 increase in daily minimum wage for private sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), or Metro Manila, arguing in a statement yesterday that current levels have been left far behind by rising cost of living.

"With (the) current wage level falling 24% behind rising cost of living," the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa faction said it would file the petition at 10 a.m. at the office of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board-NCR in Malate, Manila.

The most recent wage order in the capital which took effect in April last year -- the law provides that the minimum wage can be raised only after a year from the last adjustment -- provided a P15 increase that took the daily minimum wage to P481 for non-agriculture workers and to P444 for those in farms, private hospitals with up to 100 beds, retail/service businesses with up to 15 workers and manufacturing establishments with less than 10 workers. TUCP-Nagkaisa had asked for a P136 raise in January last year.

Metro Manila's wage hike usually triggers similar action in the country's other regions.

"[The] current minimum wage in the NCR is P481. But because of rising cost of services and increasing prices of basic goods, its purchasing power is P364 only," TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesman Alan A. Tanjusay said in a text message yesterday.

Vicente R. Leogardo, Jr., director-general of the Employer's Confederation of the Philippines and one of two management representatives in the Metro Manila's wage board, said in a separate text that "[t]he board within 15 days from filing of petition shall conduct [a] public hearing..."

"Any party may file opposition on or before the initial hearing. Within 30 days after conclusion of [the] last hearing, the boards shall decide on the merits of the petition," he added, declining to comment on the petition itself that will be filed today.

But the Finance department's chief economist pointed out a possible flaw in TUCP-Nagkaisa's computation of the proposed wage hike.

"That is their contention," Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran said in a telephone interview, when sought for comment.

"But they will have to argue based on statistics. Ang inflation rate ba nasa 24%? I don't think so."

The Finance official noted that consumer prices in Metro Manila generally increased by 1% last year. This was more than three times slower than the 3.2% recorded in 2014.

A family of five needed about P348 daily to meet basic food and non-food needs in the region, according to the Family Income and Expenditure Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority for the first semester of 2015.

"I don't think it (24%) is the appropriate inflation rate to use in computing the adjustment in wages. That's the inflation rate during the Marcos period," Mr. Beltran said, dismissing the possibility of this happening given the benign inflation outlook for the Philippines.  - By Alden M. Monzon, Reporter and Keith Richard D. Mariano /  BusinessWorld

TUCP: Underground economy workers living below poverty line reaches 27.1 million

​Informal food vendors pitch their improvised stalls and receive inadequate assistance from the government. Photographed by Tricia Aquino, InterAksyon.com.


MANILA - The number of Filipino workers in the informal economy and who cannot afford the cost of living standard of P19.50 per meal a day have reached 27.1 million since January this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) disclosed Monday, citing statistics from the Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released in March this year 

According to that PSA survey, there are 27.1 million workers working in the informal sector economy out of the 67.153 million total work force beginning this year.

Informal sector workers include jeepney and tricycle drivers, wet and dry goods vendors, bus and truck drivers and conductors, truck assistants, salesladies, barbers, beauticians and port workers.

In October 2015, there were 26.853 million workers in the informal economy, PSA data further showed.

Some 40 million of the 67.153 million work force are employed, while 2.466 million are unemployed and 7.879 million are described as underemployed.

TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said the informal economy or so-called "underground economy" sector are comprised in great part by individuals who operate businesses that are very small in scale and not registered with any national of formal government agency.

Workers in the informal economy typically sell their goods or services in exchange for subsistence wages or other forms of compensation.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimated that a family of five needs P8,778 a month which is equivalent to P292.60 a day or P19.50 per person for three meals a day in 2012.

The two agencies also indicated that workers in the informal sector economy earn an average income of just P5,750 a month or P221.15 a day.

Based on this correspondence of data, Tanjusay said, workers need to earn a minimum of P3,028 a month more, or P100.93 more a day, in order to survive.

He observed that informal sector workers are the working people most vulnerable to risks, and often engage in variety of schemes just to cope.

"Despite their significant contribution to the growing economy, government intervention for them to survive, or to cope, is very small. They have no choice, but try to cope on their own and meet both ends day by day, not by weeks or by months.

"Most of them borrow money from loan operators despite exorbitant 6 to 10 percent interest rates. Some bet in daily, small-time illegal gambling. Some are engaged in supplemental sideline work," Tanjusay said. - InterAksyon.com

Poor workers’ ranks swelling

The number of poor Filipino workers who are working in the informal economy and cannot afford the cost of living standard of P19.50 per meal a day has reached 27.1 million since January this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) said on Monday.

TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said the informal economy or "underground economy" sector  refers to poor individuals who operate business that are very small in scale and not registered with any national government agency.

"Workers in the informal economy sell their services in exchange for subsistence wages or other forms of compensation," he said.

The National Economic Development Authority  and the Philippine Statistics Authority said a family of five needs P8,778 a month which is equivalent to P292.60 a day or P19.50 per person for three meals a day in 2012.

The two agencies   said workers in the informal sector economy, for the same year, earn  an average income of P5,750 a month or P221.15 a day.  Both agencies are expected to release government poverty standard in July this year.

Using this equation, Tanjusay said poor workers need a minimum of P3,028 more a month or P100.93 more a day in order to survive. He said informal sector workers are working people most vulnerable to risks and engage in variety of schemes for them to cope.

"Despite of their significant contribution to the growing economy, government intervention for them to survive or to cope is very small. They have no choice but they rather on their own try to cope and meet both ends by the day not by weeks or by months. Most of them borrow money from loan operators despite exorbitant 6 to 10-percent interest rates. Some bet in daily, small-time illegal gambling. Some are engaged in sideline," Tanjusay said.

Informal sector workers includes jeepney and tricycle drivers, wet and dry vendors, bus and truck drivers and conductors, truck assistants, salesladies, barbers, beauticians and port workers.

According to PSA's Labor Force Survey released in March this year, there are 27.1 million workers  in the informal sector economy out of the 67.153 million total work force beginning this year.

Forty million of which are employed while 2.466 million are unemployed and 7.879 million are underemployed. In October 2015, there were 26.853 million workers in the informal economy, PSA data showed - Vito Barcelo / The Standard

Labor group urges PBA cagers to restore players' union

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — A labor group urged the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) cagers to revive a players' union amid the Mahindra Enforcers-Alex Nuyles contract row.

"We encourage them to form players' union because they are professional, first class athletes and not commodities," Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said in a statement.

"Basketball players are just like any other ordinary blue collared worker who is vulnerable to abuse."

Such union will, in particular, protect the players from abuse of contract, Tanjusay added.

"But if they organize themselves into unions, they can get the best terms of the deal of their contracts than those who are not unionized," said Tanjusay, who is also an advocacy officer of the Associated Labor Unions.

This came on the heels of former Mahindra coach Glen Capacio expressing support to guard Alex Nuyles, whose contract with the Enforcers was invalidated by the team management.

It was, in fact, Capacio who first called for the restoration of the PBA players' union, which was formed by PBA four-time MVPs Ramon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio, Robert Jaworksi, among others during the 1990s, to "protect the interest of Nuyles and other PBA players who have similar predicament."

Unfortunately, players failed to keep the group active.

Tanjusay added that formation of unions are being "encouraged by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and promoted by the International Labour Organization (ILO)." - By CNN Philippines Staff

1 M agriculture sector workers may lose jobs due to El Niño

Photo taken last May shows a girl examining the cracked soil caused by the dry spell in Barangay Madayegdeg, San Fernandoe City, La Union. VIC ALHAMBRA

MANILA, Philippines – The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) has called on the national government to draw up contingency plans for about 800,000 to one million agriculture sector workers who stand to lose their jobs within the next six months of an intensified El Niño dry spell.

The largest labor group in the country said the workers should be included in the livelihood and assistance programs of the government and in the mitigation plans being drawn by various national and local government offices.

“We urge the government to include in their mitigation plans the agriculture sector workers who may be rendered jobless due to the intense weather phenomenon,” said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU). “These type of workers suffer a double whammy because not only do they lose their livelihood and income, they also suffer as consumers.”

Seno said the group supports the call of Sen. Francis Escudero, who last Friday urged the national government to create an inter-agency task force that will draw a roadmap to better cope with El Niño.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) records showed that as of April, there are 11.4 million workers in the agriculture sector, down by 400,000 from 2014’s 11.8 million. These workers include those engaged in hunting, forestry and fishing.

Alan Tanjusay, TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesman, projected a rapid employment decline in the agriculture sector starting at the onset of El Niño as he also cited a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) record that showed a 0.37 percent contraction in employments relating to the agriculture sector during the second quarter of this year.

The decline is largely attributed to the intense heat, which affected the crops and fisheries sub-sectors.

“Our agriculture workers, particularly in the rural areas, are underpaid. That is why the sector always had the highest underemployment incidence. We do not see the agricultural workers in the government’s El Niño rescue plan,” Tanjusay said.

The TUCP-Nagkaisa also quoted data that showed a steady decline in the number of workers in the agricultural sector starting from 12.2 million in 2011, 12 million in 2012, 11.83 million in 2013 and 11.8 million last year.

In July this year, the group said unemployment in the sector rose to a total of 755,000 workers.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) secretary-general and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan blamed the onset of El Niño as causing the rise of unemployment in the sector.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said 58 percent of the country is experiencing the effects of El Niño, and that this could increase to 85 percent in February 2016.

The provinces heavily affected by the phenomenon include Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental. – By Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) With Mayen Jaymalin

El Niño to leave 1M agri workers jobless

AT least one million workers in the agricultural sector stand to lose their jobs in the coming months as an intense El Niño threatens to lay waste large tracts of agricultural lands in several provinces, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) warned on Sunday.

The TUCP, the country’s biggest labor group, urged the government to immediately institute mitigation plans, including provision of livelihood assistance to farmers and other agricultural workers who will be adversely affected by El Nino, a prolonged dry spell.

“We urge the government, from the national down to the local government units, to include in its mitigation plans those workers in the agriculture sector who may be rendered jobless due to the intense weather phenomenon. These types of workers suffer double whammy because not only will they lose their livelihood and income, they also suffer as consumers,” the TUCP said.

Records from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) showed that as of April this year, there were 11.4 million workers in the agricultural sector, down by 400,000 from 11.8 million in 2014.

Aside from farming and harvesting, the sector also includes hunting, forestry and fishing.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the agricultural sector contracted by 0.37 percent in the second quarter of the year because of the intense heat that destroyed crops,

“Our agriculture workers particularly in the rural areas are underwaged, that is why the sector always had the highest underemployment incidence. Besides that, we do not see agricultural workers in the El Nino rescue plan of the government,” TUCP spokesman Allan Tanjusay said.

From 11.9 million in 2010, workers in the agricultural sector rose to 12.2 million in 2011–the highest rise in a five-year period–and dwindled to 12 million in 2012 and further down to 11.83 million in 2013.

In July this year, unemployment in the sector rose to a total of 755,000 workers.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) secretary-general and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan blamed the onset of the El Nino phenomenon for causing an uptick in unemployment in the sector.

Earlier, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle issued a circular calling on all clergy, superiors of religious communities and heads of secular institutes in the archdiocese of Manila to pray the Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluvian or Oraio Imperata for the Impending Drought to address the impending long dry spell that threatens to affect the whole country until next year as a result of the El Nino phenomenon.

“This impending situation brings us to the brink of helplessness, but not hopelessness, as we turn to God our Father, to turn His mercy on us and shorten the life of El Nino and bring down the rain to avert the crisis,” Tagle said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said 58 percent of the country are experiencing effects of El Nino and could increase to 85 percent in February 2016.

Provinces heavily affected by the phenomenon are Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.

The prolonged drought would seriously affect about 46 provinces, causing damage to agriculture and critical water supply for human consumption.

Last July, around 755,000 workers in the agricultural sector were reported jobless because of the El Nino phenomenon, according to data provided by the BAS and the PSA.

So, if El Nino will continue in the next six months, the 1 million workers in the agricultural sector losing their jobs is evidently bad news for the economy.

Balisacan earlier admitted that the dry spell will surely send workers in the agricultural sector jobless because of the bad weather’s direct attack on the land.

To help the workers cope with economic difficulties for the same period, TUCP’s Tanjusay urged the Aquino administration to include “livelihood and assistance [programs] for the [affected workers] in mitigation plans being drawn up by various national government agencies and local government units [LGUs].”

BAS and PSA records showed that the country has a total of 11.4 million agricultural workers as of April this year.

The agricultural workers are described as one of the poorest sectors of the country since their income always depends on the status of agriculture.

If there is dry spell caused by El Nino, they face severe difficulty in providing for their daily needs.

Thus, Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions, said his group, a member of TUCP, “urges government [officials] from the national [level] down to the LGUs to [also] include in their mitigation plans [the] workers in the agricultural sector who [would] be … jobless due to the intense weather phenomenon. These … workers [are expected to] suffer [triple] whammy because … they lose their livelihood, income [and] also suffer as consumers.” - The Manila Times

Workers' group asks: Where is govt plan for 800,000 who will lose jobs due to El Nino?

FILE PHOTO BY BERNARD TESTA

MANILA - At least 800,000 to 1 million workers in the agriculture sector may lose their jobs within the next six months of an intensified El Nino dry spell, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) said in a news release Sunday.

The scenario prompted the TUCP-Nagkaisa to call for the inclusion of livelihood assistance for them in mitigation plans being drawn up by various national government agencies and local government units.

“We urge government, from the national down to the local government units, to include in their mitigation plan those workers in the agriculture sector who may be rendered jobless due to intense weather phenomenon. They suffer double whammy because not only that they lose their livelihood and income, they also suffer as consumer,” said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU).

Seno said the group supports the call of Senator Chiz Escudero for government to create an inter-agency task force that will draw a roadmap in coping with El Nino.

Records from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) showed as of April this year, there are 11.4 million workers working in the agriculture sector, down by 400,000 from 11.8 million by the end 2014. Aside from farming and harvesting, the sector also includes hunting, forestry, and fishing.

TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesman Alan Tanjusay attributed the rapid unemployment during the period to the beginning of El Nino event citing data from BAS saying the agriculture industry contracted by 0.37 percent in the second quarter of the year due to intense heat which affected crops and fisheries subsectors, records from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

“Our agriculture workers particularly in the rural areas are underwaged that is why the sector always had the highest underemployment incidence. Besides, we do not see agricultural workers in the El Nino rescue plan of government,” Tanjusay said.

From 11.9 million in 2010, workers in the agriculture rose to 12.2 million in 2011 -- the highest in five-year period -- and dwindled to 12 million in 2012 and further down to 11.83 million in 2013.

In July this year, unemployment in the sector rose to a total of 755,000 workers. National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) secretary-general and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan blamed the onset of El Nino phenomenon caused the uptick in unemployment in the sector.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Administration said 58 percent of the country is experiencing effects of El Nino and could increase to 85 percent in February 2016. Provinces heavily affected by the phenomenon are Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Bohol, Siquijo, Camiguin, and Misamis Oriental. - InterAksyon.com means BUSINESS

Traffic problems prompt labor group to seek 30-minute tardiness grace period

A LABOR group has asked for a 30-minute grace period for workers coming in late every day, in response to worsening traffic in Metro Manila, but an employers’ group warned that it could set a bad precedent among employees.

In a statement, the Partido Manggagawa (PM) appealed for consideration from business executives on worker tardiness.

“Since employers recognize that there is as yet no existing solution to this pressing issue, we demand that capitalists not punish workers who are late due to a problem that they have no control over,” PM National Chairperson Renato B. Magtubo said in a statement on Friday.

“Until traffic congestion is substantially reduced, such remedial steps must remain in place to protect workers.”

In particular, the group is asking employers for the following:

- a 30-minute grace period before being declared late for work;

- no warnings and salary cuts if late due to traffic;

- and a shuttle bus service for companies with at least 200 employees.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa faction also backed the grace period proposal.

“We ask government and employers to adjust tardiness and lateness rule on their employees and government workers to 30 more minutes maximum for the time being while there are no measures yet to address worsening traffic condition,” TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay said via text.

While acknowledging the grueling traffic situation in the capital, an official of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) said it could set the wrong example for workers to follow.

“The proposal for mandatory grace period would be a disincentive to those who are punctual and efficient in their work and could promote a culture of habitual tardiness,” ECOP President Edgardo G. Lacson said in a text message.

Another ECOP official said a good alternative would be allowing flexible schedules for employees while more permanent solutions to road congestion are laid out.

“I am not too clear on the mechanics of the 30-minute grace period. But in actual practice, some offices have adopted varying schemes of the so-called flexi-time,” ECOP director-general Vicente Leogardo Jr. said separately.

“Also, employers may adopt a compressed work week, which is considered valid as long as the union or workers agree to it.”

Sought for comment, the Labor department said such arrangements can be better addressed through talks between employees and management instead of prescribing government rules.

“The issue can be the subject of consultation at the company level between workers and/or unions considering the circumstances and needs of both instead of mandating it by law,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said in a text message.

“There are companies already under flexi-time arrangements and also those in IT sector, where they can produce their outputs without reporting physically for work.”

President Benigno S.C. Aquino III on Thursday said he plans to implement an odd-even scheme to further cut the volume of vehicles plying the local roads, but this was thumbed down by business leaders and transportation experts as a viable solution.

At present, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is implementing a car plate coding scheme during weekdays, which restricts some motorists from taking their cars out during rush hour once a week.

Asked what the workers’ recourse could be for the long commutes daily, Mr. Lacson said all must “sleep less at night and leave their residence before the break of dawn and pray for light traffic.”

“Levity aside, authorities must deploy traffic enforcers who are fully trained, coordinated, firm and fair, and dedicated to their duties, who will not abandon their posts at the first drop of rain or when lunch break comes.”

“Motorists and pedestrians must be disciplined to follow traffic rules by way of strict apprehension of violators. A culture of compliance to regulations will be inculturated if rules are enforced fairly, consistently, and sustainably.”

Mr. Leogardo, meanwhile, said there is still a long way to go to address the worsening Manila traffic, with gradual decongestion of the capital and putting up a “highly efficient” mass transport system.

TUCP urges gov't to revive safety patrol in worksites

MANILA, Philippines - Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa (TUCP-Nagkaisa) urged the government to revive the tripartite safety patrol and conduct surprise inspections in all construction work sites particularly government-funded projects nationwide.

During the Construction Industry Tripartite Council (CITC) meeting on Tuesday, TUCP-Nagkaisa spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said it is alarming that all of the 112 workplaces inspected by the safety patrol in 2012 in Metro Manila, Regions, 3, 4-A, 7 and 11 have no trained safety officers.

He said that all sites inspected also have no functioning health and safety committees, no records of accidents and illnesses, no health personnel as well as health services, and no provision for sufficient and appropriate personal protective equipment.

The CITC is composed of labor groups, workers’ association, contractors and steered by the government. It tackles issues and concerns involving construction industry and recommends industry policies to the government and to the legislature.

Composed of employers’ group, labor unions and government’s occupational safety and health officers, the safety patrol was created by the department order of the Department of Labor and Employment in 2012, invoking the visitorial and enforcement prerogatives of the Secretary of Labor as mandated by the Labor Code of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions, said the revival of safety patrol will minimize workplace accidents.

"It is because whenever there are mishaps in the workplace, it’s the construction workers who are the ultimate loser--- they end up dead or disabled physically. But accidents can be minimized if government enforce the law and employers comply with the standards on a regular basis," Seno said.

He said the breakdown of labor standards at the construction workplace was highlighted by a blatant violation by the project owners and the project contractors over the collapse of wall of a warehouse building in Barangay Ilang-ilang in Guiguinto, Bulacan on January 19.

The accident left 12 construction workers dead, including a wife and a child, and injured three others.

Two weeks later the Bulacan building mishap, two workers were killed and eleven others were injured when the installed formworks above them collapsed while a ramp is being built in a building at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. - By Denis Carcamo (philstar.com)

Labor group also hits Abaya for ‘arrogance’

THE country’s largest labor organization tore into Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya Wednesday for being arrogant and insensitive to the plight of commuters after he remarked Monday that heavy traffic brought about by the extension of the city train system would not prove fatal.

“It is very unfortunate for the Filipino people to have Secretary Abaya as a public servant,” said a spokesman for the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa, Allan Tanjusay. “Not only has he been insensitive to the plight of the commuter, he has been inefficient and arrogant.”

Last year, the TUCP also criticized Abaya for remarking that riding the MRT was “a personal decision,” after his department came under fire over safety concerns when a commuter train shot off its tracks and landed on a major thoroughfare, injuring 40 people.

“Riding MRT is a personal decision. I won’t go out of my way to convince the people to ride. We all make our own decisions. It’s a free country,” Abaya said at the time.

On Tuesday, the leftist Bagong Alyasang Makabayan said Abaya follows the footsteps of President Benigno Aquino III when it comes to being insensitive to the plight of the people.

“For Abaya, the traffic situation is not fatal. Neither are the long lines and decrepit trains of the MRT and LRT. Everything is well as far as they’re concerned,” said Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes Jr.

Hundreds of Facebook and Twitter users expressed their disgust at Abaya, saying it would be better for him to resign.

Abaya’s latest statement came days after the Metro Manila Development Authority warned that the traffic buildup would worsen when the expansion of the LRT starts next month. - By Joel E. Zurbano / Manila Standard Today

Groups back QC councilor move to ‘avert’ Canadian waste dumping at Payatas

Environmental groups on Monday said it supports the call of a member of the Quezon City Council to disallow the use of the Payatas Sanitary Landfill for wastes coming from other countries.

Councilor Dorothy Delarmente of First District of Quezon City recently filed a resolution which expressed strong disapproval against any plan to dispose of or dump foreign wastes at the Quezon City Landfill.

At least 24 environmental groups and several labor groups said the proposed resolution will serve as a deterrent against any move to dump Canadian wastes at the city’s controlled landfill.

The Payatas Sanitary Landfill used to be an open dumpsite before the Quezon City government started rehabilitation in 2001 following the death of 218 people, mostly residents who live at shanties around the foot of the mountain of garbage that collapsed only July 1, 2000 after days of unusually excessive rainfall.

Backing the City Council’s approval of the resolution were Quezon City-based groups, such as Ang NARS; Arugaan; Associated Labor Unions-TUCP; Bangon Kalikasan Movement; Ban Toxics; Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino-NCR; Citizens’ Organizations Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability; EcoWaste Coalition; Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives; Green Convergence; Greenpeace; Health Care Without Harm; Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment; Mother Earth Foundation; Oceana Philippines; Piglas Kababaihan; Public Services Labor Independent Confederation; Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa; WomanHealth Philippines; and Zero Waste Philippines. - by Jonathan L. Mayuga / Business Mirror

Aquino gov’t not serious on child labor problem

A labor group on Thursday blasts the Aquino administration for its failure to curb the proliferation of child labor problem in the country.

Alan Tanjusay, spokesman of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-NAGKAISA (TUCP-NAGKAISA), said the total number of child laborers has reached to more than 5.5 million as of 2014.

Child laborers are referred to as children, who, at the tender age of 5-17 years, started working for a particular employer in a specific period of time.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noted that in every ten working children, six were boys while four were girls.

PSA data revealed that 46.7 percent of the total child workers belong to the 15-17 year-old bracket, while 45.1 percent were 10-14 years old, and 8.2 percent were 5-9 years of age.

Under the Philippine Anti-Child Labor law, the children are not allowed to work due to their young age. But, they are forced to work due to massive poverty, said Tanjusay, which sets aside the Anti-Child Labor laws.

He added that the huge total number of child workers was sufficient basis to describe the Aquino administration as “benign” in addressing the problem.

“Right now, we consider the government effort to curb [the problem on] child laborers as benign. The government is not serious. Hindi targeted,” averred Tanjusay.

He said the government, through the collective efforts of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), are necessary to concretely addressing the problem now.

He said “it is high time for the DOLE and DSWD to dedicate common focus in creating a national program and strategy towards minimizing the number of child laborers in the country.”

Tanjusay pointed out that there is a need for the government to carry out a serious program or strategy, in order to decisively reduce the number of children who are forced to work by 250,000 every year. - Nelson S. Badilla / The Manila Times

Concerns over possible dislocation of ARMM workers

Labour confederation says 24,000 government workers in Mindanao would be left jobless once a new body takes over from ARMM

Manila: A labour confederation has expressed fears that some 24,000 government workers in Mindanao would be left jobless once a new body takes over from the administration of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

During a recent House of Representatives committee deliberation on the provisions on the proposed Bangsamoro Law, officials of the civil service commission admitted to Rep. Raymond Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party list they have not made any plans concerning possible dislocation of workers once an administration for the envisioned self-rule region steps in.

“The labour centre expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who would be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect. We call on the civil service commission to step in and take the necessary course of action. We are wondering why the commission has no preparations towards one of the very important elements of the transition issue,” Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labour Unions (ALU) said.

Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front had largely focused on the political and economic aspects of the planned Bangsamoro — a self-sustaining self-rule region envisioned to be comprised by Muslim dominated areas in Central and Western Mindanao. Authorities had all but completely ignored or had forgotten about the government workers who would be left without jobs once the transition starts.

It can be recalled that in March this year, the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed a peace agreement, ending more than two decades of conflict with the Christian-dominated central government in Manila.

According to Seno, the labour group is proposing the civil service commission oversee transition matters pertaining to the labour sector and ensure the workforce to be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government would consider absorbing those currently employed in ARMM, with a merit-based integration adopted rather than leaving displaced employees to fend for themselves.

TUCP executive director Louie Corral said: “This is a significant number of public sector employees to be displaced. But the government has the primary responsibility to provide safety nets for these workers who had been serving the bureaucracy quietly. Rather than allowing these people fall through the crack, they should be integrated as they are already an asset.”

Sources said although a peace agreement had been signed between MILF and the government, it could still take several months until a new authority could be set up to replace ARMM.

The ARMM was set up during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as a result of the 1996 peace agreement between Moro National Liberation Front.

More than two decades after ARMM was established incumbent President Benigno Aquino III, as part of his promise to MILF, started work on dismantling ARMM which he described a “failed experiment” in self-rule. - By Gilbert P. Felongco, Correspondent Gulf News

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Group fears displacement of 2,400 ARMM gov't workers with creation of Bangsamoro

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)-Nagkaisa is worried that around 2,400 government employees in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will lose their jobs once the region is dissolved and taken over by the Bangsamoro Transition Council.

In a statement, the group said the public sector workers are currently employed in municipalities, cities, provincial and regional government offices in the region.

“The labor center expresses concern over the unknown fate of these workers who will be dislodged once the Bangsamoro law takes effect,"said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions (ALU).

He said the Civil Service Commission should step in, adding the CSC does not seem to have prepared for "one of the very important elements of transition."

During House deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law chaired by TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, CSC resource persons could not answer

TUCP-Nagkaisa said the CSC should make sure that the existing workforce will be integrated into the new Bangsamoro government through "lateral transfer and merit-based integration".

Meanwhile, TUCP Executive Director Louie Corral said that it is the responsibility of the government to look after the welfare of public sector workers.

"Rather than allowing these people fell through the cracks, they should be integrated because they are already an asset," he said. — JDS, GMA News

Panayam kay Alan Tanjusay ukol sa proposed four-day workweek ng TUCP[09|30|14]

[Good Morning Boss] Panayam kay Alan Tanjusay, Spokesperson, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines ukol sa proposed four-day workweek ng TUCP (Ulat nina Dianne Medina at Jules Guaing) [September 30, 2014]

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