Amid ‘endo’ issues, contractual workers are PH’s new heroes — labor groups

As the country celebrated the National Heroes Day on Monday, labor groups again urged President Rodrigo Duterte to give importance to contractual workers whom they consider as the Philippines’ new heroes.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairman Elmer Labong said contractual workers can be considered as heroes for their contribution to the country despite the challenges they face.

“Sa araw ng mga bayani, tinuturing nating bayani ang mga magagawang na nagbibigay ng malaking contribution sa ating ekonomiya,” Labong said in an interview.

“Napapanahon na pakinggan ang kahilingan na karagdagang sahod at pagtigil sa tumitinding opresyon sa hanay ng mga manggagawa,” Labong said.

Labor groups called for the abolition of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and “endo”(end of contract) or the practice of contractualization.

The groups also asked for the raising of the minimum wage of workers to P750 per day for the private sector.

Death by ‘low salary’

Meanwhile, Jhen Pajel, President Kilos ng Mangagawa, said the consolidated effect of TRAIN law, contractualization, and below minimum wage, greatly affect the workers in the country.

“Yung mga mangagawang Pilipino ay naghahanap-buhay para mamatay. Ito ay dahil unti-unti silang pinapatay ng napakababang sahod at nakadagdag pa yung illegal na ipinasang TRAIN law noong nakaraang Disyembre 2017,”

Pajel also claimed that the agony of the workers was evident as hundreds of them participated during the National Heroes Day protest that started along Welcome Rotonda and ended at Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila.

“Pinatunayan ng martsa ngayong araw ng mga bayani na ang galit ng mga manggagawa ay hindi mananatiling galit na lamang,” Pajel said. “Magtratransporme ito sa napakaraming pagkilos, malalaking pagkilos.”   /vvp